Mark Birchall and Tom Shepherd to chair CGOC comp

Two of the UK's most respected chefs have been appointed as chair of judges at the Craft Guild of Chefs’ National Chef of the Year and Young National Chef of the Year. 

Mark Birchall (pictured), chef patron at Moor Hall Restaurant, is taking the helm of the National Chef of the Year, while Tom Shepherd, owner of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd in Staffordshire, is chairing Young National Chef of the Year. 

New for 2026, Cherish Finden will oversee the dessert judging of both competitions, supporting with her extensive knowledge of pastry and judging culinary competitions at the highest level, having worked on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals since 2016. 

“To be the next chair of judges for National Chef of the Year is really humbling," says Birchall. "I’m passionate about inspiring first-time entrants and encouraging previous competitors to return and hopefully my experience of judging and the work I’ve done in my own restaurants, and the wider industry will help inspire chefs to get involved."

Fifty years in the making

The trio will work closely with the competition director David Mulcahy to drive the competitions forward and maintain the strong heritage the Craft Guild of Chefs has built up over the last five decades. 

“I’ve been asked countless times who the new chairs would be, so it’s exciting to finally reveal these outstanding names," says Mulcahy. "We are already working hard to create an enticing brief that will allow competitors to show us their own style and skill whilst bringing in elements Mark and Tom are truly passionate about. Matt Abé and Russell Bateman have done an incredible job for us over the last two years, bringing their own personal touches to the competition and so I want to take this opportunity to thank them both again for giving up so much of their own time to inspire others.”

Two live semi-finals will also be held in the summer in London and Sheffield. Entries for National Chef of the Year open on Tuesday 10 February 2026.

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