Chapel Down launches ‘Taste of England’ chef competition
Chapel Down has launched ‘Taste of England’, a new nationwide competition inviting chefs to create menus paired with its sparkling wines. The initiative aims to spotlight emerging culinary talent while celebrating the evolving identity of modern English cuisine.
Showcasing modern English cooking
The ‘Taste of England’ competition invites chefs from across the country to submit a three-course menu paired with Chapel Down sparkling wines. Entrants are encouraged to highlight seasonal, homegrown produce, express a clear sense of place and present a contemporary take on English cooking.
Applications are now open, with chefs required to submit their menus by 10:00pm on 27 April 2026.
The initiative forms part of a broader gastronomy-focused campaign for summer 2026. The campaign is designed to engage millennial consumers and strengthen Chapel Down’s presence in the UK food and drink sector.
Planned activity includes partnerships with major food and drink events such as Pub in the Park, Sound Bites Festival and Big Feastival, alongside Royal Ascot, the Top 50 Gastropub Awards, and collaborations with restaurants across the UK.
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Winners to gain national exposure
A panel of industry experts and journalists will judge entries, selecting three winners to be announced at an event at the Chapel Down winery estate in June.
The winning chefs will see their menus showcased at a series of consumer events throughout the summer, including takeovers at The Swan, the winery’s two AA Rosette restaurant. Each winner will also receive a £3,000 cash prize and feature in a national PR and marketing campaign, with further opportunities to cook at key events.
Liam Newton, Chapel Down’s chief marketing officer, said: “At Chapel Down, we have always believed that great wine and great food are intrinsically linked through a shared sense of place. English cuisine is undergoing a real shift, with a new generation of chefs championing seasonal produce and redefining what modern English cooking looks like. ‘Taste of England’ is about giving those chefs a platform, while also showcasing the versatility of English sparkling wine as a natural partner to contemporary British dishes.”
To enter, chefs should download and complete the Taste of England entry form from this link and submit it to [email protected] before 10:00pm on 27 April 2026.
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