National Chef of the Year deadline extended into April ‘due to popular demand'

Prospective entrants for the Craft Guild's National Chef of the Year competition will have until 12 April to apply after the contest's deadline was extended.

The prestigious title, which has been won by chefs including Gordon Ramsay, David Everitt-Matthias and Simon Hulstone, is open to all chefs aged 24 and over as of 1 February 2019.

The brief calls for a summer lunch menu for two guests that can be produced in two hours. It must include an egg starter of the competitors' choice, served hot; a beef main, including two cuts and cooking methods; and a dessert of chocolate tart, incorporating or garnished with seasonal fruits.

NCOTY website.

The contest's 40 semi-finalists will be announced on 17 May. Heats will take place at Sheffield College on 11 June, and at Le Cordon Bleu in London on 18 June, while the final 10 will compete for the top prize at the Restaurant Show on 1 October.

David Mulcahy, vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: "I would encourage all chefs to grab this extra time and incredible opportunity and get involved in the competition.

"You only need to look through Kuba Winkowski's social media channels or watch Great British Menu to see the opportunities that being part of the competition will bring. It's life-changing for those chefs who want to be part of the ultimate challenge in the culinary world.

"Our judges are ready and waiting to discover the next winner who will follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in hospitality, including Gordon Ramsay, Simon Hulstone, Alyn Williams, Mark Sargeant and David Everitt-Matthias."