Oliver McGeorge to represent Team UK at Bocuse d’Or

Oliver McGeorge has been chosen to represent the UK at the next Bocuse d’Or global culinary competition.

McGeorge beat finalists Russell Bateman, executive chef at the Taste Lab by Classic Fine Foods, and Rory Elliott, chef de partie at Dinner by Heston, during a tense selection process held at the University of West London on 22 September.

Candidates were tasked with preparing three styles of canapés as well as a plated dish of guinea fowl, sweetcorn and verjus, portioned for six servings.

Each finalist was supported by a commis chef from the University of West London over the course of the UK heats.

The judging panel consisted of Clare Smyth, Team UK president and chef patron of the three-Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth, as well as Fabrice Uhryn, Mitch Mitchell, Ian Musgrave and Adam Bennett.

McGeorge was born in 1996 and is a graduate of the Lycée Hôtelier de Marseille. Over the past decade, he has worked across a number of celebrated establishments in France, including the Michelin-starred Frenchie in Paris, the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris and the three-Michelin-starred Le Petit Nice Passedat in Marseille.

The chef said: “It is an incredible honour to represent the UK on the Bocuse d’Or stage. This competition is the pinnacle of our profession, and I am determined to showcase the very best of British and make the British culinary community and my team proud.”

Smyth added: “The standard of cooking from all three finalists was outstanding. Oliver demonstrated remarkable composure, skill and creativity – qualities that will serve him well as he steps onto the international stage for the Bocuse d’Or. We are thrilled to have him at the centre of Team UK.”

McGeorge will compete against some of the world’s best chefs in Marseille for the European Selection in March 2026, with the top 10 teams progressing to the Bocuse d’Or World Final in Lyon in January 2027.

The UK has yet to reach the podium; the closest it came was in 2013 when Adam Bennett and Kristian Curtis reached fourth place. Team UK placed fifth at the 2025 Bocuse d’Or world final.

Tom Philips, who represented the UK for the competition earlier this year, has teamed up with former candidates Bennett and Ian Musgrave to mentor McGeorge.

Bocuse d’Or UK chairman Andreas Antona is also being succeeded by Adam Wing, head of trade marketing – UK, Middle East and Asia at Seafood Scotland.