Lincoln Chefs Go Head-to-Head in Cook-Off for Young Chef of the Year

Lincoln’s rising culinary stars put their skills to the ultimate test this week as seven talented chefs competed for the Young Chef of the Year title at Lincolnshire Life’s Taste of Excellence Food & Drink Awards. 

The cook-off took place on Tuesday 21st October at Sessions Restaurant, home to Lincoln College’s state-of-the-art training kitchen. Each chef had just three hours to prepare and present a three-course menu that would impress a panel of expert judges. 

Among the competitors were four Lincoln College students – Lucie Cairns, Harry Lee, and Maddie Ingram, all studying Level 3 Professional Cookery, alongside Theo Haxby, an apprentice chef from Doddington Hall. They were joined by talented chefs from The Tower Hotel, The New Inn, and The Angel and Royal, showcasing the breadth of culinary talent across the county. 

Lucie Cairns, Level 3 Professional Cookery student, said: “I’m really happy with how everything went in the Young Chef of the Year competition. I managed to keep on top of my time, execute my dishes just as I’d planned, and I’m really proud of myself.” 

Supporting the competitors in the kitchen were students Lauren Bye and Khan Sae-Be, together with Chef Lecturer Simon Walker, who ensured dishes were prepped, plated, and presented to perfection under the intense time pressure. 

The judging panel featured some of Lincolnshire’s most respected food experts: Caroline Bingham, Chief Executive at County Life Limited; Dominic Franks, cook, food writer and creative event producer; and James Foster, Managing Director at the Lincoln College Group. Each judge assessed the chefs on creativity, technical skill, flavour, and presentation. 

Each young competitor demonstrated why Lincolnshire continues to nurture some of the UK’s finest culinary talent. 

All seven chefs will reunite on Thursday 6th November at The Drill Hall for the Taste of Excellence Awards Ceremony, where the winner of the Young Chef of the Year 2025 will be officially announced. 

Get industry ready with a hands-on learning environment and real-world experience to equip students ready for a great career. Apply now to study at the Lincoln College School of Food & Hospitality for September 2026.