Meet the National Chef of the Year 2019 finalists: Stefan Sewell

National Chef of the Year 2019 finalist, Stefan Sewell is a Defence Chef Instructor for the RAF.

• Read more about National Chef of the Year here
• What does it take to win National Chef of the Year?
• Who are the other National Chef of the Year 2019 finalists? 

Stefan Sewell is currently serving as a Defence Chef Instructor for the RAF and currently based at Worthy Down Barracks in Hampshire. He has worked in the majority of Officers Messes within his respective units throughout his RAF career. He has also completed three tours of the Falkland Islands and has also previously cooked for HM the Queen on two occasions.

How did it feel to get through to the final?

I was in shock and still, now I pinch myself. Being able to compete against these chefs for such a fantastic title is an amazing opportunity for myself - it makes me hungrier and more passionate.

Why did you enter National Chef of the Year?

I first heard of the competition when my close friend Davey Smith entered, and I was influenced by his achievements last year in the competition.

Have you entered any other competitions before NCOTY?

I am very fortunate to be selected to represent the Combined Service Culinary Arts Team (CSCAT) as vice-captain, where the team competes at international level at events like the IKA Culinary Olympics and World Cup. Last year I was part of the team that achieved a double gold and a silver medal in the Culinary Olympics.

I am also the captain of the Royal Air Force Culinary Arts Buffet team where we achieved a gold best in class in 2017. More personally, last year I was a finalist in the Kikkoman masters, which is a fantastic competition.

Knorr and Unilever Food Solutions are proud to be longstanding sponsors of the National Chef of the Year competition. The foodservice industry is a significant and important part of Knorr’s business and we’re proud to have been by the side of culinary professionals since 1838.

Remember your first day? Watch our campaign film at www.ufs.com/knorr1838