Street Food Championships opens entries for 2026

The search is on for the UK's next street food dish of the year, as entries have opened for the 2026 Street Food Championships. 

The Street Food Championships invites chefs, street food traders, restaurant operators and fast-casual innovators from across the hospitality industry to compete for the title of Street Food Dish of the Year.

Whether it's a bestselling burger, a flavour-packed taco, a modern fusion creation or a dish that has built a loyal following, the competition is designed to celebrate the creativity, innovation and bold flavours that define the UK's thriving street food scene.

Successful entrants will earn a place in the live final on 17 November 2026 at London's Big Penny Social, where 16 finalists will battle it out in a high-energy cook-off in front of industry judges. Enter now.

A culinary showdown

The one-day event will challenge competitors across four demanding rounds, testing not only their cooking skills but also their ability to innovate under pressure.

Finalists will begin by recreating the dish that secured their place in the competition before taking on a technical challenge using sponsored ingredients. They will then face the Lee Kum Kee Ultimate Umami Challenge, designed to showcase their creativity and understanding of flavour, before finishing with the Wings Challenge, sponsored by Givaudan (Major).

"We're thrilled to open entries for this year's competition," says Tamsyn Halm, editor of Quick Serve Magazine, which hosts the event. "The Street Food Championships continues to celebrate some of the UK's boldest, most inventive and passionate chefs, while shining a spotlight on the exciting food trends shaping the sector. We can't wait to see the calibre of entries this year and discover who will take home the title."

With places in the final limited, chefs and operators are encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible. Entries close on Friday 11 September 2026.

To enter, visit streetfoodchampions.co.uk and submit your recipe.

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