Craig Edgell, owner of Margate chef Catering & Hospitality in Margate, has been named as one of just 40 semi-finalists in his 5th year of the National Chef of the Year (NCOTY) competition.

Widely regarded as the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition, National Chef of the Year, organised by the Craft Guild of Chefs, challenges chefs to demonstrate exceptional skill, creativity and consistency under the pressure of cooking for some of the UK’s most high-profile judges.

Craig now progresses to the semi-final stage, where competitors will be tasked with creating a two-course menu for four covers within two hours, inspired by this year’s overarching theme of ‘Our Sustainable Future’. The main course will be a plated fish dish using plaice, mussels and violet artichokes with summer vegetables, herbs and coastal flavours suitable for a light summer lunch, showcasing seasonality and balance. For the dessert, semi-finalists must produce an elegant tart featuring British berries, paired with a sorbet, an ice cream or a parfait. Renowned pastry consultant, Cherish Finden will join the judging panel for this element of the competition.

Craig has said “This will be my 5th year in the competition and reaching this stage. The last two years I reached the final and last year brought back the national presentation award for the competition. This year has been a little different with opening my own business and being able to concentrate on the food and more time with the family this has had a huge impact on my training for the competition. Could this year be the number 1 spot… It’s with the hospitality gods! Being around amazing chefs and being judged by the best in the country has made me who I am today and blessed for the journey I’ve been on. Get comfortable being uncomfortable I’ve always lived by this and this is where you find the best version of you.”

Chair of Judges, Mark Birchall, who is chef patron of Moor Hall and National Chef of the Year, said: “Reaching the semi-finals of National Chef of the Year is a huge achievement. It was interesting to see how the chefs interpreted the original brief and brought their own ideas to the table. I’m looking forward to seeing the level of creativity and skill on display in the next stage when the chefs tackle a new brief and we get to watch them cook in one of the four heats. I’ve got a fabulous panel of judges joining me at the live cook-offs, so I know it’s going to be a memorable day for every competitor.”

Craig will be competing in the semi-final in London on 1 July with the aim of securing a place in the National Chef of the Year final later this year.

National Chef of the Year has helped shape the careers of many of the UK’s leading chefs including Gordon Ramsay on its list of former winners. 

To follow his progress visit margatechef.co.uk or follow @margatechef on Instagram.