Live cook-off final of the Delifresh Young Chef of the Year competition with eight regional finalists, judged by Pierre Koffmann and others.
The Young Chef of the Year final is at first direct bank arena on Tuesday 20 October, from 10 am to 4 pm. It's the culmination of the Delifresh Young Chef of the Year competition, which is now in its fifth year. The whole thing is built as a live cook-off, so you're not just seeing the finished plates — you're watching the chefs work in real time.
Eight regional finalists go head-to-head in the arena, and the judging panel is a heavy one: Pierre Koffmann, Jonathan Hawthorne (Jono) of V&V, Steph Moon, John Topham of The Alice Hawthorn, and Ahmed Abdalla. The competition is open to chefs at all levels, from catering college students to those working in Michelin-recognised establishments, and to anyone aged 16 to 25, so you'll see a real mix of experience on the benches.
It's more than just the cook-off, too. There's a supplier show with over 70 food and drink producers, and hospitality guests tasting the chefs' dishes and cheering for their favourites. Simon Crannage of Grantley Hall called it 'an incredible competition', and with more than 800 people usually turning up, it's a proper event rather than a quiet industry thing.
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Some context on where it comes from: Delifresh is a Yorkshire-born fresh produce wholesaler that launched the competition in 2022, just as the hospitality industry was recovering from the pandemic, as a way to invest back into the sector and champion young culinary talent. The final runs from 10 am to 4 pm at first direct bank arena, Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY, and entry is free, with tickets available via Eventbrite.
