The competition, now in its fifth decade, is open to all chefs over the age of 23 who work in any sector of the catering industry, and the categories once again are Asian/Oriental, Modern British/European and Rest of the World.
David Mulcahy, competition organiser and vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said they were particularly keen to embrace diversity on all levels this year.
“We’d like to see chefs from all different backgrounds enter the competition and have a fantastic team of ambassadors to help achieve this aim,” he said. “Joining chairman of judges Philip Howard, we have Angela Hartnett, Atul Kochhar and myself, who all hope to make this year’s competition the best one yet.”
Chefs must get their ideas down on paper for a three-course lunch menu for four people by April 26. From the paper judging on May 13, 40 successful entrants will be invited to compete in the semi finals at Sheffield College on June 18 and the University of West London on July 2 and 3. Eight chefs will be chosen to go forward to the final at the Restaurant Show on Tuesday, October 8.
As well as national acclaim, the title winner walks away with an impressive haul of prizes. Last year’s winner Alyn Williams, chef patron at Alyn Williams at The Westbury, won cash, an exclusive study trip with dinner at a three Michelin starred restaurant in France, a study trip to Norway, master classes with industry greats and specialist chef’s products and equipment.
To download an application form, click below. For further information, contact Clair Bowman on 01293 610329 or follow @TNCOTY on Twitter.