The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Master of Culinary Arts 2026 is now open for entries
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is proud to announce the launch of the Master of Culinary Arts (MCA) 2026, the UK’s most prestigious and rigorous award for culinary excellence. Following last night’s successful launch event, entries are now officially open, with applications closing on 31st March 2026.
Recognised as the ultimate accolade across the hospitality industry, the MCA celebrates the very best in kitchen, service and pastry. Since its inception, the award has become a benchmark of excellence, with past winners representing the highest standards in their respective fields. Inspired and supported by iconic chefs Michel Bourdin and Albert and Michel Roux OBEs, the MCA was inaugurated in 1987 when it was originally known as the MeilleurOuvrier de Grande Bretagne and based on the MeilleurOuvrier de France.
This year’s MCA will be overseen by an esteemed panel of honorary judges:
· Mark Birchall, Chef Patron, Moor Hall, Honorary Judge - Kitchen
· Alain Roux, The Waterside Inn, Honorary Judge - Pastry
· Thomas Kochs, Managing Director, Claridge’s, Honorary Judge - Service
LR: Mark Birchall, Thomas Kochs, Lisa Jenkins, Brian Turner CBE, Idris Caldora MCA, Alain Roux
Chair of the MCA, Idris Caldora MCA comments:
“The Master of Culinary Arts is a highly prestigious and demanding test that recognises excellence in Restaurant Management and Service, Pastry and Kitchen. The Award is given to a select few who meet the required standard. I believe it’s one of the highest honours one can achieve in their professional career. For me, attaining the title of Master of Culinary Arts for Kitchen in 1996 meant everything. All I wanted to do was to prove to myself and to my peers that I had the ability, skills and knowledge to attain the award. I also wanted to inspire the next generation and raise standards within the industry. Those who earn the title become part of a revered culinary heritage and retain the title for life. It's therefore an absolute honour to now be the chairperson of the Master of Culinary Arts committee, surrounded by the most respected and talented leading lights in our industry, with the goal of pursuing excellence within our fantastic industry.”
Lisa Jenkins, CEO of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts adds:
“The launch of the Master of Culinary Arts 2026 is a celebration of everything that makes our industry extraordinary. The MCA is not just an award; it is a benchmark of excellence that challenges individuals to go beyond technical brilliance and demonstrate true artistry, leadership, and service. It is a privilege to witness the incredible talent that this programme brings to the forefront of hospitality.”
The award will be chaired across three categories by some of the most distinguished figures in the industry:
Kitchen:
Chair: Adam Smith MCA, Executive Chef, Coworth Park
Committee: Adam Bennett MCA, Chef Director, The Cross at Kenilworth; Jeff Galvin MCA, Chef Patron Galvin Restaurants; André Garrett MCA, Group Culinary Director, Claude Bosi Restaurants; Martin Green MCA, Head Chef, Whites Club; Spencer Metzger MCA, Row on 5 and John Williams MBE, Executive Chef, The Ritz London.
Pastry:
Chairs: Benoit Blin MCA, Head Pastry Chef, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Yolande Stanley MBE MCA, Consultant Pastry Chef Lecturer, The Pastry Training Company.
Committee: Alistair Birt MCA, Senior Head Chef, Harrods Kitchens; Denis Drame MCA, Executive Chef, The Taste Lab, Classic Fine Foods; Kofi Addai-Mensah MCA, Owner, Crystal Patisserie and Jamie Houghton MCA, Pastry Chef, The French Laundry.
Service:
Chairs: Silvano Giraldin, Director, Silvano Giraldin Service & Management Consultancy and Sergio Rebecchi, Director, Serenata Hospitality
Vice Chairs: John Cousins, Director, The Food and Beverage Training Company and Didier Garnier, Proprietor, Le Colombier
Committee: Mourad Ben Tekfa MCA, Restaurant Director, The Seren Collection; Thomas Borghi MCA, Director of Food & Beverage, The Cadogan; Luigi Cagnin MCA, Food and Beverage Operations Manager, The Ritz Restaurant; Sergio Cappello MCA, Food and Beverage Manager The Landing Hotel; Joël Claustre MCA, Regional Director, Bill's Restaurants; Daniel Crump MCA, Proprietor/Director, The Greyhound, Beaconsfield; Alessandro Fasoli MCA, Managing Director, WSH Restaurants Ltd; Giovanni Ferlito MCA Head of Wine and Beverage, The Ritz London; Antonino Forte MCA; Simon Girling, Director of Food & Beverage, The Ritz London; Devid Isabella MCA; Emmanuel Landré MCA Restaurant Manager Oswald’s; Rémy Lysé, Chief Operating Officer, The Arts Club; Michael Newton-Young MCA, Proprietor, Chez Moi Restaurant; Robert Rose MCA, Restaurant Director, Core by Clare Smyth; Vito Scaduto MCA, Director, La Terra; Thierry Tomasin MCA, Support Services Manager, Culinary Team The Gleneagles Hotel and Elaine Watson MCA, Food and Beverage Trainer, The Gleneagles Hotel.
The MCA remains the ultimate recognition for those who demonstrate not only world-class technical expertise, but also creativity, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to hospitality.
Candidates keen to enter the Master of Culinary Arts can do so via the website, where further details of the tasks, dates and prizes can be found. https://royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk/mca
Entries are now open and close on 31st March 2026.
The Master of Culinary Arts 2026 is sponsored by:
Champagne Bollinger, The University of West London, UNOX, Aubrey Allen, Berkman Wine Cellars, Caffe Musetti, Ritter Courivaud, Seafood Scotland, SushiSushi, Winterhalter, Woods Food Service.
Editor’s Note:
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts:
Leading the hospitality profession by example - shaping the future through education.
Founded in 1980, the Academy of Culinary Arts is Britain’s highly influential, leading professional association of Head Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Restaurant Managers and suppliers. The ‘Royal’ title was gifted to the Academy of Culinary Arts in 2013. While concerned with raising standards and awareness of food, food provenance, cooking and service, its objectives are primarily focused on the education and training of young people in the hospitality industry and the provision and development of career opportunities.
Patron of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts: His Majesty King Charles III.
For more information on The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, please visit www.royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk or call 020 86736300.
Written By:
Nancy Lewendon
Senior Account Executive
+44 (0)1249 564001
