Ruth Hansom named National Chef of the Year 2026

Yorkshire’s very own Ruth Hansom, Chef Owner of Hansom in Bedale, has been named National Chef of the Year by The Craft Guild of Chefs.

Widely thought of as one of the most sought-after titles in the industry, Ruth’s hard work paid off during the contest that judges every aspect of culinary talent.

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From flavour and creativity to presentation and technical skill, ten determined finalists fought for the title, judged by a panel of some of the UK’s leading chefs, chaired by 3 Michelin-starred Moor Hall’s Mark Birchall.

The competition final was hosted at Le Cordon Bleu in London, where the theme was ‘Our Sustainable Future’.

Ruth’s three winning courses featured a starter of Isle of Mull scallops, paired with girolles, kohlrabi, and cobnut. The main course was Angus Pure beef fillet served with braised cheek cottage pie, beef fat, kuri squash fondant, glazed veal sweetbread, and tail-end tartare. For dessert, she prepared a mille-feuille made with Guanaja dark chocolate, olive oil, and foraged blackberries.

Mark Birchall, chef patron of Moor Hall and chair of the judging panel, said: “This was an exceptional final and the standard across the kitchen was incredibly high. Ruth stood out with a menu that showed confidence and skill.

“Every dish delivered on flavour and the execution was consistently strong from start to finish.

“Winning National Chef of the Year requires time and dedication throughout the year and then the ability to perform when the pressure is at its highest. Ruth thoroughly deserves this title, and I’m excited to see what comes next for her.”

Yorkshire continued to shine as Pignut and The Hare, owned by Chef Tom Heywood, secured third place in the competition. His and his wife Laurissa’s stunning restaurant in North Yorkshire focuses on sustainability, which aligned perfectly with the theme of the event.

In addition to her new title, Ruth Hansom will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia, an exclusive culinary trip to Europe, and the opportunity to launch her very own Dishpatch meal kit, which will be sold alongside renowned chefs like Michel Roux, Rick Stein, and Andi Oliver.

Once again, Yorkshire has showcased its culinary excellence with another significant achievement. A huge congratulations to Ruth Hansom and Tom Heywood. We can’t wait to see what Yorkshire accomplishes next!