Fourteen Young National Chef of the Year finalists revealed

The Craft Guild of Chefs has announced the 14 semi-finalists in the running to win Young National Chef of the Year (YNCOTY) 2022.

They will be competing to gain a spot in the finals, which is due to take place with seven competitors at Le Cordon Bleu in London in September.

The brief for the semi-finalists, devised by Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at Northcote and leader of the judging panel this year, demands a three-course menu.

Candidates must create an egg starter, a Provencal-inspired main using Norwegian haddock or cod fillet, and an interpretation of a puff pastry dessert.

The semi-finalists for this year’s competition are:

• Samantha Watkins, commis chef, Sapori
• Shannon Lippiatt, commis chef, the Old School House Toll Restaurant
• Jamaar Semper-House, junior sous chef, the Manor House Hotel
• Dalton Weir, junior sous chef, Cottage Loaf
• Ben Shields, commis chef, La Moye Golf Club
• Liam Rogers, sous chef, the Gleneagles Hotel
• Joshua Singer, senior chef de partie, Scott's of Mayfair
• Theo Hadjitofi, chef de partie, the Table at de Banke Group
• Fraser Cameron, senior sous chef, the Globe Inn
• Nicole Watt, ABCS, Royal Navy Embassy Admiralty House
• Mae Dionio, chef de partie, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
• Jessica Watson, commis chef, the Northumberland Club
• Charlie Critchton-Rutter, commis chef, Horticulture Newcastle

Each year, some participants are fast-tracked directly to the final because of their top-scoring performance in other culinary events for young chefs. This year, they are:

• Charlie Knight, chef de partie at the House of Commons, winner of the British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year
• George Baldwin-Edie, development chef for Marks and Spencer, highest achiever at the Graduate Awards
• Scott Pepper, demi chef de partie at Boodles, winner of the Academy of Culinary Arts Awards of Excellence
• Ashleigh Hellowell, chef de partie at Manor House Lindley, after his success in WorldSkills UK

David Mulcahy, organiser of YNCOTY and vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “Given the current challenges we are facing within the hospitality industry, it is important that we encourage and draw attention to the amazing opportunities that exist for chefs.

“With such an inspiring chair of judges in Lisa Allen, I have no doubt that the brief will test this year’s competitors and bring the very best out of them making for an exciting final.”

Goodwin-Allen added: “In this new role, my aim is to really inspire young chefs to look at the quality of ingredients and flavour and tell a story of who they are with their dishes. I am really looking forward to seeing what these semi-finalists submit for their chosen menus.”

Last year’s YNCOTY winner was Daniel Cornish(pictured), senior chef de partie at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons.