Jenny Warner, founder of Nordic House, is competing with the top chefs in the country

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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 respected chefs.

Kent chef Jenny Warner, founder of Nordic House and Head Chef at 22 Bishopsgate in London, has competed in the National Chef of the Year semi-finals after being selected as one of just 40 chefs from across the UK.

The appearance marked Jenny's return to the competition for the first time in ten years. During that time, she balanced raising a family with building her career, becoming Head Chef at 22 Bishopsgate while also founding Nordic House, a Kent-based private dining business inspired by her Finnish heritage.

Jenny recently competed in the live semi-final, where competitors were 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 brief was a plated fish dish using plaice, mussels and violet artichokes with summer vegetables, herbs and coastal flavours. For dessert, chefs were challenged to create an elegant tart featuring British berries, accompanied by either a sorbet, ice cream or parfait. Renowned pastry chef Cherish Finden joined the judging panel for the dessert element of the competition.

Jenny said: “Competing in National Chef of the Year has been an incredible experience. Returning to the competition ten years after my first semi-final, while balancing a career, family life and growing Nordic House, makes this achievement especially meaningful.
I'm incredibly grateful to Rhubarb Hospitality Collection and everyone at 22 Bishopsgate for supporting me throughout the competition. Whatever happens next, I'm proud to have challenged myself.”

Chair of Judges, Mark Birchall, chef patron of Moor Hall, said prior to the semi-finals: “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.”

The finalists will be announced on 14 July, when the judges reveal which chefs will progress to compete 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.