Game Chef of the Year 2026

Are you a chef with a passion for game cookery and a flair for bold, seasonal flavours?

The Master Chefs of Great Britain (MCGB) launch Game Chef of the Year competition — a nationwide search for the most exciting talent in game cookery.

This is your chance to showcase your skills, creativity and understanding of one of Britain’s most sustainable and flavour-packed ingredients — wild game.

The Winner

The Winner of Master Chefs of Great Britain UK Game Chef of the Year 2026 will receive:

  • The George McIvor OBE Game Trophy and £2000

  • A one week stage with Chef Mark Donald in the 2*Michelin Lalique Restaurant, Crieff

  • A three day gastronomic tour of Venice, Italy sponsored by UNOX

Competition Details

About the Competition

The Game Chef of the Year competition is the passion of the MCGB Chairman, George McIvor OBE.

The competition is designed to allow chefs to produce a main course game dish using furred or feathered game, giving you the opportunity to put your own flair and imagination into the dishes.

Competitors will be required to produce within the timescale of 1 ½ hours, 2 portions of an innovative Game main course, accompanied by three seasonal garnishes plus a potato or starch garnish.

NB All game must be plucked or skinned prior to the competition.

Who Can Enter

Open to all Chefs in the UK working full-time in the Catering Industry.

How to Enter

Competitors are required to submit:-

Their CV, along with recipes, working methods and images, must be no later than the closing date of 4th September 2026.

All entrants will be subject to paper judging.

The top four competitors who will cook in the final will be notified by 18th September 2026

The Finalist cook-off will take place at City of Glasgow College on Thursday, 8th October 2026.  All finalists must bring all of their ingredients, presentation plates and cooking equipment.

How to Enter

Whether you’re already confident working with game or eager to challenge yourself with a new ingredient, this is your opportunity to shine. Bring your creativity to the table — and let Britain’s wild flavours do the talking.

Entry form

Important dates

  • Applications open: 07 July 2026

  • Entry deadline: 04 September 2026

  • Finalists announced: 18 September 2026

  • Final cook-off: 08 October 2026

Competition Terms and Conditions

The competition is open to UK resident chefs working or training in a professional kitchen.

  • Only one entry per individual.

  • Entrants must submit an original recipe using at least one type of game, furred or feathered

  • Entries must be received by 4th September 2026 to be considered.

  • Finalists will be selected by a panel of expert judges and invited to take part in a live cook-off at City of Glasgow College on Thursday 8th October 2026.

  • The organisers reserve the right to publish submitted recipes and images for promotional purposes.

  • The competition is organised and administered by the Master Chefs of Great Britain, headquartered in Scotland. All decisions by the judging panel are final.

  • By entering, participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.