Craft Guild of Chefs Announces Semi-Finalists for 2025 National Chef of the Year

The Craft Guild of Chefs has officially unveiled the 40 talented chefs who have been selected to progress to the semi-final stage of the prestigious National Chef of the Year 2025 competition.

This year’s hopefuls were challenged to create a three-course menu that embodies the spirit and seasonality of October, the month in which the final will take place. The judging panel—led by renowned chef and chair of judges, Matt Abe—commended the exceptional standard and creativity demonstrated across all entries.

“Personally, I was delighted to see a real mix of new entrants giving the title a go, alongside returning competitors who came back even stronger than before,” said Abe. “The level of innovation and culinary skill was remarkable. Those who made it through to the top forty truly embraced the brief, carefully considering everything from seasonality and flavour to technique and sustainability.”

All entries were judged anonymously, with names and places of work concealed to ensure fairness. Separate panels reviewed starters, main courses, and desserts, while an additional team evaluated the menus as a whole for balance and cohesion.

David Mulcahy, Competition Director and Vice President of the Craft Guild of Chefs, added: “Once again, the competitors have not made it easy for the judges. We’re incredibly grateful for the immense effort that goes into every entry. To those who didn’t make it through, we encourage you to seek feedback and return even stronger—this competition continues to set an extraordinarily high bar, and every chef should be proud of their work.”

The National Chef of the Year remains one of the most respected culinary titles in the UK, highlighting the next generation of leaders in British gastronomy.