Ireland's Next Top Chef

Ireland's Next Top Chef Ireland's Next Top Chef is the country's premier culinary competition

31/07/2026

From the anticipation before the first plate left the pass to the moment the winner was announced...✨🏆

Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026 Final was a night to remember.

An incredible showcase of talent, creativity and determination from three exceptional finalists, judged by some of the biggest names in the industry and celebrated alongside chefs, sponsors, supporters and hospitality professionals from across Ireland.

Congratulations once again to our 2026 champion, Scott Mallett of Café Zulu and to finalists Adam McCourt and Osvaldo Perez Carmona for delivering an unforgettable competition.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a success.

Here's a look back at a truly special night🎥✨

See you in 2027...👀

What a night! 👏Last night saw the Grand Final of Ireland's Next Top Chef take place at the beautiful Balmoral Hotel in B...
30/07/2026

What a night! 👏

Last night saw the Grand Final of Ireland's Next Top Chef take place at the beautiful Balmoral Hotel in Belfast, bringing together three outstanding chefs for a fantastic finale.

A massive congratulations to Scott Mallett from Café Zulu, who was crowned Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026! 🏆

As part of his prize, Scott has won the opportunity of a lifetime with a stage at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London. It is a truly special prize, made even more significant as it will be the last time one of our winners gets this opportunity before the restaurant closes its doors in 2027.

Well done as well to our runners-up Adam McCourt and Osvaldo Perez Carmona. The standard on the night was incredibly high, and all three finalists should be immensely proud of what they achieved.

A big thank you to our judges, Joris Minne, Chef Danni Barry and Chef Niall McKenna, who had the tough job of deciding this year's winner.

We are also grateful to Senator Conor Murphy for his keynote speech, highlighting the opportunities and bright future for the hospitality industry across Ireland.

And of course, thanks to our brilliant host, Barra Best, who kept the evening moving and entertained us all throughout.

Finally, thank you to everyone who helped make this year's competition such a success, from the chefs and sponsors to our guests, partners and everyone working behind the scenes. We cannot wait to do it all again next year!

Can't make it to the Grand Final? Don't worry, you can watch every moment unfold LIVE from 7PM on YouTube. From the pres...
29/07/2026

Can't make it to the Grand Final? Don't worry, you can watch every moment unfold LIVE from 7PM on YouTube.

From the pressure of the kitchen to the final judging, you'll be there for every second as our finalists battle it out for the title.

🎥 Live from 7PM tonight
📍 Watch via the YouTube link in our Stories!

He's back! After reaching Ireland's Next Top Chef Final last year, Scott Mallett returns for another shot at the title. ...
28/07/2026

He's back! After reaching Ireland's Next Top Chef Final last year, Scott Mallett returns for another shot at the title.

He is a Head Chef in Café Zulu, Co. Antrim. With unfinished business and even more experience behind him, Scott will be hoping that this is the year he takes home the crown.

For his starter, Scott serves a beautifully balanced Tuna Tartare, pairing delicate raw tuna with a crunchy peanut and sesame crumb, refreshing watermelon and a kick of wasabi to deliver a dish packed with texture and bold flavour.

His main course centres around slow-cooked Beef Cheek, accompanied by a black garlic, shiitake mushroom and potato tart, charred hispi cabbage, roasted chestnuts, a rich beef bonbon and finished with a deeply flavoured beef jus for a comforting yet elegant plate.

To round off the menu, Scott presents his take on Carrot Cake, combining warm spiced flavours with vibrant orange, a crisp honey tuile and smooth miso ice cream, creating a dessert that's both familiar and unexpectedly refined.

With a menu that showcases precision, flavour and modern techniques, Scott will be looking to impress the judges and earn the title of Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026. 🏆

Will his dishes be enough to secure the crown? Join us this Wednesday at the Balmoral Hotel and watch the Grand Final unfold live.

Meet Osvaldo Pérez Carmona. The Head Chef in La Pausa Caffè, Co. Dublin, Head. He is bringing bold flavours, cherished m...
28/07/2026

Meet Osvaldo Pérez Carmona.

The Head Chef in La Pausa Caffè, Co. Dublin, Head. He is bringing bold flavours, cherished memories and exceptional technique to the Ireland's Next Top Chef Grand Final this Wednesday.

For his starter, Memories of Sinaloa celebrates his Mexican heritage with cured wild Irish mackerel, complemented by crisp Granny Smith tiger's milk, grilled mango, silky avocado cream and pickled red onion for a vibrant balance of freshness, sweetness and acidity.

His main course, Veracruz on the Irish Coast, beautifully combines Irish seafood with the flavours of Veracruz. Butter-poached Dublin Bay prawns are served with a banana leaf yuca tamal, rich Veracruz chilpachole, sweet corn and toasted corn popcorn, creating a dish that bridges two culinary worlds.

To finish, Sunday at Granny's is a heartfelt dessert inspired by family tradition. A comforting Granny's corn cake is paired with warm vanilla custard, roasted blackberries, Irish honey caramel and crunchy hazelnut praline for a nostalgic yet elegant finale.

With a menu inspired by both his roots and his passion for Irish produce, Osvaldo will be hoping to win over the judges and be crowned Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026🏆

Will his creativity, storytelling and flavour combinations be enough to take home the title?

Join us this Wednesday at the Balmoral Hotel to witness the Grand Final live.

Meet Adam McCourt.Senior Chef de Partie at Hillyard House Hotel, Co. Down and the first finalist competing in the Irelan...
27/07/2026

Meet Adam McCourt.

Senior Chef de Partie at Hillyard House Hotel, Co. Down and the first finalist competing in the Ireland's Next Top Chef Grand Final this Wednesday.

For his starter, Adam presents a fresh take on a Saku Tuna Poke Bowl, combining compressed tuna and watermelon with fluffy scrambled eggs and perfectly cooked rice for a vibrant, flavour-packed opening dish.

His main course is a beautifully prepared young chicken stuffed and confit, served alongside herb brioche stuffing, buttery fondant potato, spring cabbage, black garlic, parsley emulsion and finished with a rich chicken jus.

To finish, Adam serves a refined Sweet Heritage Carrot Pudding, paired with aerated Sauternes, crunchy walnut crumble and a refreshing cream cheese sorbet for a modern twist on a classic flavour combination.

With three impressive dishes on the menu, Adam will be aiming to impress our judges and claim the title of Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026🏆

Will he have what it takes to become this year's champion?

Join us this Wednesday at the Balmoral Hotel to watch the competition unfold live.

21/07/2026

🔥 The countdown is ON...🔥

After weeks of incredible talent, creativity and culinary battles, it all comes down to this…👨‍🍳✨

Join us for the Ireland’s Next Top Chef Grand Final on Wednesday 29th July Hotel Belfast and witness talented chefs go head-to-head for the ultimate title!

Expect an unforgettable evening of world-class cooking, fierce competition and a celebration of Ireland’s incredible hospitality industry.

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast – don’t miss your chance to be part of the excitement!

Get your tickets in our bio!

10/07/2026

🔥 What a Semi Final! 🔥

Monday saw our Ireland's Next Top Chef Semi Final take place at Waterman House Cookery School and what a competition it was! From incredible dishes and intense pressure to outstanding creativity and flawless technique, our semi finalists gave it everything in the kitchen.

This clip captures just some of the unforgettable moments from an exceptional day, where the standard was nothing short of phenomenal.

Congratulations once again to our finalists:
🏆 Adam McCourt
🏆 Osvaldo Pérez Carmona
🏆 Scott Mallett

You can book tickets for the final now at: www.universe.com/events/6a464f487d8cd159e9a0b1f2

🎉 Our Ireland's Next Top Chef Finalists Are Revealed! 🎉After an outstanding Semi Final at Waterman House Cookery School,...
07/07/2026

🎉 Our Ireland's Next Top Chef Finalists Are Revealed! 🎉

After an outstanding Semi Final at Waterman House Cookery School, our judges had the difficult task of selecting just three chefs to progress to the Ireland's Next Top Chef Grand Final.

Congratulations to our finalists:

👨‍🍳 Adam McCourt
👨‍🍳 Osvaldo Pérez Carmona
👨‍🍳 Scott Mallett

The chefs impressed with exceptional three course menus, showcasing their creativity, technical skill and passion for culinary excellence.

A huge thank you to our fantastic judging panel for their expertise and time:

Chef Dean Coppard – Keenan Seafood & Lynas Foodservice
Chef Nathan Sno – vinefoodclub
Chef Geoff Baird – Henderson Foodservice

A special thank you to Niall and Joanne McKenna and the entire team at Waterman House Cookery School for their warm hospitality and for being so welcoming and supportive throughout the event. Their willingness to help and provide such a fantastic venue played a huge part in the success of our Quarter & Semi Finals.

Congratulations to our three finalists - we can't wait to see you compete in the Ireland's Next Top Chef Grand Final in Balmoral Hotel, Belfast on Wednesday 29th July 👏🍽️

26/06/2026

A huge congratulations to everyone who took part in Monday's Quarter Final Mystery Box challenge! 👏

The standard was incredibly high, and every contestant should be so proud of what they produced. A massive well done to those who made it through to the semi-finals, but whether you progressed or not, you should all be proud of your performances and everything you've achieved so far.

We can't wait to see what the semi-finals have in store! 🍽️

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Belfast
BT100NF

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