Bravo! Catering Student Nathan Wins National Young Chef Competition
Thursday 4th June 2026
Level 3 Professional Cookery student, Nathan Armstrong is jetting off to an exciting trip to Italy after he won the top title at the 2026 Young Risotto Chef of the Year competition.
Following challenging regional heats, Nathan faced off against other students from across the UK at the Grand Final, held in the kitchens of the iconic Tottenham Hotspur stadium, London.
Taking inspiration from his grandmother and her time living in Italy, Nathan wowed the judges with a locally sourced Jerusalem artichoke and stilton risotto, creating a no-waste, sustainable dish that used every part of his ingredients.
Reflecting on the experience, Nathan shared: “It was a great experience. I was really pleased with the food I presented, and it was a really good opportunity to meet other young chefs and get great advice from the judges.”
The judging panel, made up of eight international experts, included Adriano Cavagnini, Executive Chef of the luxury Bvlgari Hotel London, and chef and author Paul Gayler MBE. The judges were impressed by Nathan’s comforting dish, complimenting his “great flavours, seasonality, and strong techniques”.
Nathan will now set off on an exciting trip to Milan where he will take part in a three-day experience working with judges Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani at their two-Michelin starred restaurant, Il Luogo. Following his time in the restaurant, Nathan will then take a fascinating tour of the Riso Gallo rice mills in Robbio Lomellina, Lombardy.
Sharing his pride in Nathan’s success, Curriculum Head for Catering and Hospitality at Loughborough College, Darren Creed said: “Nathan was part of our Junior Chefs Academy ten years ago. Seeing him go from a young lad to a Level 3 student and now a national competition winner, it just shows how passionate he is. I’m over the moon for him.”
