BCF Student Chef of the Year 2026 open for entries
- Katherine Alano
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
The BCF Student Chef of the Year 2026 is now open for entries.
The competition will take place on 27 May 2026 at the University College Birmingham.
In partnership with Robot Coupe, Wrapmaster, Contacto and Essential Cuisine, the competition is open to all full-time and part-time students.
Competitors will be given two hours to prepare, cook and present a three-course menu for two covers:
Starter suitable for a vegetarian diet
Main course to include a fish dish of your choice
Dessert of your choice
The winner will receive a gold medal, competitor’s framed certificate, a day’s experience in a Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as a trophy for the college, R2 cutting machine for the college generously donated by Robot Coupe and a gift from Contacto and Wrapmaster.
Second and third placed winners will receive a medal, competitor’s framed certificate, a day’s experience with a Master Butcher alongside a trophy for their college and a gift from Contacto and Wrapmaster.
All finalists will also receive an embroidered apron which should be worn during the competition and for the presentation, and will receive a certificate and one year’s free membership of the British Culinary Federation.
Further information for competitors
Chosen menu must be included with your entry, together with name, college address, college course, home address and age.
A printed menu must be presented to accompany your dishes on the day.
Competitors must provide all ingredients and their own small and specialist equipment.
Competitors will be marked on culinary skills shown, hygiene, working methods, portion size, flavour, temperature, presentation and timing.
Mise-en-place allowed: peeled and washed vegetables and fruit (not cut), stocks, uncooked pastry.
Ingredients may be weighed and measured.
Students must use at least one Essential Cuisine product within their menu.
Samples may be ordered direct to the college.
Marks will be deducted for excessive amounts of mise-en-place.
Entries need to be sent via email to Andrew Sage on amk_sage@outlook.com mobile: 07796 927949
Closing date: Monday 27th April, but we encourage early entries.
Colleges will be notified immediately after the closing date and final details will be forwarded to the successful entries.
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