Hosted by chef and broadcaster Simon Rimmer, the ceremony recognised outstanding talent, innovation and dedication across the profession. The evening’s highest honour, the Special Award, was presented to Lisa Goodwin-Allen, in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the culinary profession.
Having led the kitchen brigade at Michelin-starred Northcote since the age of 23, Goodwin-Allen has continued to shape the industry as chef patron-director since 2025, earning widespread acclaim for her creativity, leadership and commitment to excellence.
Upon receiving the accolade, Goodwin-Allen said: "Emotions are running quite high! I didn’t expect it. It’s a big privilege and an honour. To be stood up there with such an amazing bunch of people, and not only the people on the stage, but the people in the room too. The Craft Guild of Chefs is massively important. It nurtures the next generation. It brings us together as a community.”
Between 2022-2024 she served as Chair of Judges for the Craft Guild of Chefs Young National Chef of the Year competition helping to inspire and nurture the next generation of talent.
Mark Reynolds, chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs commented: “Lisa is a truly worthy recipient of the Craft Guild of Chefs Special Award. Throughout her distinguished career, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity and dedication, while also giving so much back to the profession she loves.
“What makes Lisa especially deserving of this honour is the generosity with which she shares her knowledge and experience, helping to shape the future of our industry while continuing to set the highest standards herself. She is not only one of the UK’s most respected chefs, but an inspiring ambassador for hospitality, and we are delighted to recognise her outstanding contribution to the profession."
She joins an illustrious list of previous recipients of the Craft Guild of Chefs Special Award including Clare Smyth MBE, Asma Khan, Simon Rogan, Angela Hartnett MBE, Michel Roux OBE & Albert Roux OBE, Marco Pierre White, and Raymond Blanc OBE.
Other standout winners on the night include Scott John-Hodgson, Solstice by Kenny Atkinson for Restaurant Chef Award; Sam Leatherby, London Hilton on Park Lane for Pastry Chef Award; and Jöro Restaurant for New Restaurant of the Year Award.
Five Special Recognition Awards were also presented, including honours for Craft Guild of Chefs vice presidents Steve Munkley MBE and David Mulcahy, acknowledging their outstanding service to the industry and the Guild.
The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards are among the hospitality industry's most respected accolades, recognising the talent, dedication and impact of chefs working across all sectors of the profession.
The full list of Craft Guild of Chefs 2026 winners is as follows:
- Accredited College Restaurant Award (sponsored by Hobart Warewashing): Scholars Restaurant, Blackburn College
- Apprentice Chef Award (sponsored by Compass Group – Foodbuy): Nikoletta Theofylaktidou, Restaurant Associates
- Banqueting & Event Chef Award (sponsored by CleanEvent Services): Miles Greenaway, Rocket Food
- Chef & Service Lecturer Award (sponsored by Hobart Cooking): Neil Rippington, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts
- Competition Chef Award (sponsored by HRC and International Salon Culinaire): Terry O'Riordan, Craft Guild of Chefs
- Contract Catering Chef Award (sponsored by PizzaSi): Darren Passmore, Eurest
- Culinary Hero Award (sponsored by Williams Refrigeration): Robert Kennedy, Compass Group
- Development Chef Award (sponsored by Essential Cuisine): Will Torrent, Waitrose & Partners
- New Restaurant of the Year Award (sponsored by Alliance NZ): Jöro Restaurant
- Pastry Chef Award (sponsored by Lakeland Dairies): Sam Leatherby, London Hilton on Park Lane
- Pub Restaurant Chef Award (sponsored by Bonemasters): Pete Jackson, Wildmoor Oak
- Public Sector Chef Award (sponsored by Tugo Food Systems): Rachyel Ainsworth, HM Forces
- Restaurant Chef Award (sponsored by Electrolux Professional): Scott John-Hodgson, Solstice by Kenny Atkinson
- Special Award (sponsored by Sodexo): Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Northcote Manor
- Street Food Chef Award (sponsored by Blue Tomato POP): Pankaj Krishnan, Keralan Karavan
- Sustainability Excellence Award (Small Operator, sponsored by McCormicks Flavour Solutions): Ian Waller, Restaurant Pine
- Sustainability Excellence Award (Large Operator, sponsored by Rational): Eurest
- Young Chef Award (sponsored by Winterhalter): Tom Brassington, Restaurant Associates
- Special Recognition Award: Steve Munkley MBE, Craft Guild of Chefs
- Special Recognition Award: David Mulcahy, Craft Guild of Chefs
- Special Recognition Award: Chris Burnham, The London Meat Company
- Special Recognition Award: Tony Reynolds, Reynolds Foods
- Special Recognition Award: Paschal Tiernan, James Knight of Mayfair