Just twelve months after being crowned Ireland’s Next Top Chef, Lauma Kilgas is urging aspiring chefs across the island of Ireland to take the same leap that helped transform her own career.
With entries for Ireland’s Next Top Chef 2026 closing this Friday, 12 June, the Co Roscommon chef is encouraging those working in restaurants, hotels and kitchens across Ireland to seize the opportunity while there is still time.
Kilgas, who lifted the title in 2025, believes the competition offers far more than the chance to win a trophy.
Instead, she describes it as a platform capable of raising profiles, opening doors and accelerating careers.
Her call comes as Ireland’s Next Top Chef enters its fourth year, having established itself as one of the island’s leading showcases of emerging culinary talent.
Launched in 2023 by the Balmoral Hotel, the competition is free to enter and operates as a not-for-profit initiative designed to identify and support the next generation of chefs.
Competitors are tested across technical skill, creativity and real-world kitchen performance, with entrants competing for industry recognition and a career-enhancing prize package.
Reflecting on her experience, Laura Kilgas said: “Before entering Ireland’s Next Top Chef, I genuinely didn’t know where the competition might lead.
“Looking back now, it gave me opportunities I simply would not have had otherwise. It
allowed me to showcase my food to highly respected chefs and industry figures, but it also gave me something equally valuable and that’s confidence in my own ability.
“The competition challenges every aspect of what you do as a chef. It’s not just about producing a great plate of food.
“You’re tested on creativity, organisation, technical execution and your ability to perform under pressure. Those are skills that stay with you long after the competition ends.
“My advice to anyone considering entering is simple: back yourself. There is incredible talent in kitchens across Ireland, but sometimes all you need is a platform to show people what you can do. This competition gives you that opportunity.
“If you’ve been thinking about entering, don’t leave it too late. Someone will be standing on that stage in July as Ireland’s Next Top Chef 2026. There’s no reason it can’t be you.”
Previous winners of the competition include Gareth Crawford from Co Antrim in 2023 and Michelle dela Cruz from Co Antrim in 2024, with all three champions using the platform to further develop their careers within the hospitality sector.
As demand for skilled chefs continues to grow across Ireland’s hospitality industry, organisers believe competitions such as Ireland’s Next Top Chef have an important role to play in identifying talent, encouraging professional development and creating opportunities for chefs to gain wider recognition.
John Trainor, Operational Director at the Balmoral Hotel and founder of Ireland’s Next Top Chef, said: “What has made this competition so rewarding is seeing talented chefs step forward, challenge themselves and ultimately discover what they are capable of achieving.
“Lauma’s story demonstrates exactly why the competition was created. Winning the title gave her exposure, confidence and valuable industry connections, but equally important was the opportunity to showcase her talent on a wider stage.
“Every year we meet exceptional chefs from every corner of the island. Many are doing outstanding work but may never have had the opportunity to put themselves in front of leading industry figures. Ireland’s Next Top Chef was designed to bridge that gap.
“The standard continues to rise year after year, and we have no doubt there are talented chefs out there capable of becoming the next Ireland’s Next Top Chef. Our message is simple: if you have the talent and ambition, don’t let the opportunity pass you by.”
This year’s contest will once again see chefs from across Ireland progress through a series of knockout stages, beginning with an online application process before advancing to live heats at Waterman House Cookery School in Belfast.
Those who impress the judging panel will earn a place in the grand final at the Balmoral Hotel on 29 July 2026, where the final three chefs will go head-to-head in front of a live audience in their bid to be crowned Ireland’s Next Top Chef 2026.
At stake is one of the most sought-after prizes available to an emerging chef on the island – a stage at the two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London, alongside the coveted Ireland’s Next Top Chef title.
Entries close at 12 noon on Friday 12 June, with aspiring chefs from across the island encouraged to submit their applications via www.irelandsnexttopchef.com.
Ireland’s Next Top Chef 2026 is supported by a strong network of industry partners, including Balmoral Hotel, Henderson Foodservice, Direct Wine Shipments, Estrella Damm, Drinks Inc, Bunzl McLaughlin, Frylite Solutions, Tanqueray Gin, Coca-Cola HBC, Ryak Cleaning & Support Services, Lynas Foodservice, Keenan Seafood, Féile an Phobail and Waterman House Cookery School.
