Young National Chef of the Year semi-finalists announced

The Craft Guild of Chefs has announced the semi-finalists for Young National Chef of the Year, with finals set to take place on 10 October at University of West London.

Chair of judges Lisa Goodwin-Allen has announced the brief, which requires competitors to create a three-course meal within two hours featuring Norwegian cod; two cuts of whole fresh duck; and an interpretation of Manchester Tart.

Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at Northcote said: “When thinking about the criteria for this year, I really wanted to see how the chefs demonstrated a strong understanding of classic culinary skills. I’m looking for a delicious three-course menu which would be suitable for an elegant lunch. Each dish requires its own specific focus and personal approach so I would advise all the semi-finalists to consider this brief carefully. All three dishes must be appealing to the eye, have finesse and be packed full of flavour.”

The entries from those invited (see below) will be reviewed by the judging team, who will determine the six candidates to join the four seeded finalists from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards for Excellence; the Graduate Awards; World Skills’ and British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year.

Finalists will also participate in Mentor Day in September to watch masterclasses, Q&A sessions and tackle skills tasks.

Successful semi-finalists for this year’s competition are below:

• Benjamin Mabley, senior chef de partie, Hartwell House Hotel & Spa
• Cliodhna Reid, commis chef, Gleneagles Hotel
• Elliot Wakefield, junior sous chef, Dorian, Notting Hill
• George Baldwin-Edie, development chef
• Harry Donnelly, chef de partie, the RAF Club
• Imogen Parrish, head chef, the Running Horses, Mickleham
• Joshua Singer, senior chef de partie, Scott's, Richmond
• Maciej Pisarek, demi chef de partie, the Savoy
• Miltan Masha, senior sous chef, Monarch Theatre
• Morgan Stephens, demi chef de Partie, L'Enclume
• Nathan Johnson, junior sous chef, Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath
• Nicole Watt, ABCS, Royal Navy, HMS Defender
• Rick Owens, sous chef, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Sam Dixon, demi chef de partie, Northcote
• Stephanie Belcher, junior sous chef, Coast Restaurant, Saundersfoot
• Subhan Malik, junior sous chef, the Beaumont Hotel