Innovation shines at Skills for Chefs 2025

The annual Skills for Chefs Conference lit up the culinary scene during its recent return, bringing together some of the UK’s most celebrated chefs and hospitality professionals.

At the heart of the gala dinner that closed proceedings was the announcement of the winner of the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year Awards. The team from The Academy by Simon Rogan (pictured) prevailed after impressing the judges with their professionalism, creativity and cohesive team dynamic.

An inspiring line-up

Hosted at the University of Sheffield and The Sheffield College, the two-day event delivered a powerful mix of inspiration, technical brilliance and professional insight to hundreds of chefs and educators.

The conference opened in style with An Audience with Aktar Islam, the Birmingham-based chef and restaurateur behind the Michelin-starred Opheem. He shared his thoughts on the evolving British food landscape and the importance of authenticity in modern cuisine.

The demonstration theatre then became the heartbeat of the event, with the likes of Gareth Ward and Adam Smith delivering an impressive showcase of culinary skill, innovation and storytelling.

Organiser David McKown MBE comments: “It’s incredible to see such talent sharing their knowledge so generously. This conference is about equipping chefs at all stages of their careers with the skills and confidence to thrive, and once again, Sheffield has provided the perfect stage for that.

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