The blind judging

The first stage of the judging process is completed online and all entries are judged blind meaning that no names or information about the candidate is available. The judges are broken into teams working in isolation, recording their marks and comments ahead of the judges’ deliberation meeting. It’s on this call that, prior to any names being revealed, the judges discuss their marks and any areas of concern or highlight any potential issues.

In addition, the chair of judges and myself as organiser, scrutinise the marking for any unusual anomalies to discuss further as well as ensure all entries have been given every opportunity to be fully judged prior to sign off.

We also review every single entry and every single dish to offer an additional overall menu mark on top of the individual course marks. It is only once all marks are agreed, that the actual names and details of the competitor are revealed.

The competition’s administration team then move in for the next stages of the competition including preparing any press releases, working with the sponsors to arrange the jacket and other gift deliveries as well as getting the second stage brief and information online and ready for the entrants to complete.

The second stage

The second round gives the chefs the opportunity to answer further questions to give the judges more insight into the initial thinking behind their menus. The video is a task with a new set of criteria which although it appears simple is both skills based and offers an opportunity for the chef to demonstrate levels of innovation within the given brief.

Again, a team of judges scrutinise the questions and the video plus the initial menus. This is important to ensure that on balance the result is heavily weighted towards the initial entry as this is the menu that will be cooked for the judges at the final.

The journey to the final & beyond 

Once finalists are announced, the organising teams set about planning a number of events. The Mentor day has evolved to become a significant part of the event for all concerned. Competitors, sponsors, organisers, key judges, press and media gather at the host venue to share expert insight, masterclasses, upskilling and personal development as well as thought leadership interviews, as the energy and anticipation builds ahead of the grand final.

The day of the final is charged with nervous energy and adrenalin as all involved gather for the most important cook off of their lives. The title of National or Young National Chef of the Year is within sight and all competitors are ready for the challenge and just like that, the clock counts down.

Dishes are served, kitchens cleared, aprons discarded, judges feedback shared, before the entourage disperses to meet again for the awards ceremony to celebrate yet another incredible year. And it doesn't end there. Sponsors prizes, interviews, guest appearances and a host of career defining opportunities await the successful winners. 

A fifty-year legacy

It is this combination of the different stages plus the efforts of our expert judges that guarantee we have a final that ensures the competition maintains its reputation as one of the biggest challenges in the industry. It has achieved a half century legacy because of the talent it attracts to enter, the rigorous judging process and the level of judges it draws year after year.

We have around 40 judges involved across both the National and Young National Chef of the Year programme throughout the year. Some of the judges have been involved for many years whilst others are judging for us for the first time.

Our talented competitors

Every year, we encourage entries from all walks of life, both male and female. I hope we will continue to attract the most talented chefs in the UK to enter as we love to welcome new chefs into the National Chef of the Year family. Whatever stage a chef gets to in the competition, we work hard to celebrate their success and achievements, both inside and outside the event.

As we continue to evolve, both myself and the National Chef of the Year team are keen to ensure that we represent all chefs, regardless of gender, ethnicity or culinary background. Personally, I am always looking for new ways of working with various parties to develop innovative and exciting ways to ensure that this is always the case.