After weeks of exceptional cooking, creativity and determination, Scott Mallett (Cafe Zulu, Co. Antrim) has been crowned Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026, earning recognition as one of the most exciting culinary talents on the island. Throughout the competition, the standard has been outstanding, with chefs demonstrating remarkable skill, innovation and professionalism at every stage.

At Henderson Foodservice, we are proud to have supported this year's competition as a sponsor and to play a role in celebrating and developing the next generation of hospitality professionals. Through the involvement of our Business Development Chef, Geoff Baird, who also served on the judging panel, we have witnessed first-hand the passion, talent and dedication that continues to drive the industry forward.

The final three chefs, Adam McCourt of Hillyard House Hotel, Osvaldo Pérez Carmona of La Pausa Caffe, and Scott Mallett of Cafe Zulu, impressed throughout the competition with their passion, innovation and culinary excellence as they battled for the title of Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026.

We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to Scott Mallett on a truly deserved victory, as well as to every chef who competed in this year's event. Reaching the final stages of Ireland's Next Top Chef is an achievement in itself, and each competitor has helped showcase the incredible future of food and hospitality across Ireland.

As a business deeply committed to supporting chefs and the wider foodservice industry, Henderson Foodservice is honoured to partner with initiatives such as Ireland's Next Top Chef that inspire excellence, nurture talent and celebrate the people shaping the future of our profession. Here's to the champion, the finalists, and the next generation of culinary stars.

Contact details

Ciarán Mollahan
Country Director, Republic of Ireland

 086 171 5831
 ciaran.mollahan@henderson-group.com
Web www.henderson-foodservice.com