BCF Young Chef of the Year 2026 finalists revealed
Countdown to the BCF Young Chef of the Year 2026 begins as the BCF announces the finalists for this year's competition.
The competition will take place on Monday 9th November 2026 at University College Birmingham's competition kitchen and the winner announced at the dinner and prize giving evening.
THE FINALISTS
Toby Barrow, Lloyd’s of London
Dillan Bennison, Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, Ripon
Leah Blake, Halesowen College
Rob Griffiths, Penmaenuchaf Hotel, Gwynedd
Zak Hill, The Bower House, Shipston-on-Stour
Solomon Larbi, Woven by Adam Smith, Coworth Park
Oliver Mitchell-Hewitt, The Lloyd by Laura Kimber, Shifnal
Michael Rodger, The Cross, Kenilworth
Johan Steyn, Park Plaza Riverbank, London
Alfie Watson, The Elephant, Torquay
Orla Wilson, Blackburn College
Benjamin White, Restaurant Story, London
Yuting Zhang, Adam’s Restaurant, Birmingham
Joshua Zitha, The Store, Oxford
The winner wins a gold medal, inspired Irish Beef Chefs Trip to Ireland with Bord Bia and Aubrey Allen. Cheque for £500, winners commemorative plate and certificate and seeded entry into National Young Chef of the Year 2027.
Second place wins silver medal, cheque for £300, commemorative plate and certificate, while third place wins a bronze medal, cheque for £200, commemorative plate and certificate.
Awards will also be presented for Best Starter, Best Main Course, Best Dessert.
All finalists will receive a personalised chefs jacket, certificate and a commemorative plate sponsored by Steelite Utopia and two tickets to the Awards Dinner at University College Birmingham.
Sponsored in partnership with: Bord Bia Irish Food Board, Major, Wrapmaster, Steelite Utopia, Bidfood
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