Events.

Paul Askew is one of the UK’s leading chefs and Chef Patron of The Art School in Liverpool, which has been Michelin Recommended since opening in 2014.

A passionate ambassador for the city, Paul is President of Disciples of Escoffier UK, Chair for the North of England at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, and a dedicated mentor to young chefs. He also co-owns Barnacle Restaurant and Bar with his son, Harry.

Jack Bond is the Michelin-starred Chef/Owner of The Cottage in the Wood in Keswick. Having trained at Marcus Wareing, Claridge’s, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and New York’s Eleven Madison Park, Jack took ownership of the restaurant in 2024. Under his leadership, it has retained its Michelin star, earned three AA Rosettes and received multiple industry accolades.

Jack’s sustainable, flavour-led cooking has also seen him represent the North West as a 2026 finalist on the BBC’s Great British Menu.

Aiden Byrne began his culinary career at 16, rising rapidly through some of the UK’s finest kitchens. At just 22, he became the youngest chef ever to earn a Michelin star, a record he still holds. He has led acclaimed restaurants including Manchester House, 20 Stories and, most recently, LI~LY in Knutsford, recognised by the Michelin Guide.

A familiar TV chef, Aiden is also a passionate charity ambassador, supporting Hospitality Action and several other causes.

Staffordshire-born Stuart Collins is Chef Patron of Docket Restaurant in Whitchurch, Shropshire. He trained under renowned chefs including Gary Rhodes, Michael Caines and Gordon Ramsay before leading kitchens in New York, Cheshire and Doha.

Stuart and his wife, Frances, opened Docket in 2017, with the restaurant featuring in the Michelin Guide since 2020. In 2021, Stuart won the Central Region on the BBC’s Great British Menu, cementing his reputation as one of the UK’s leading chefs.

Mary-Ellen McTague is a chef, writer and sustainability champion with more than 25 years’ experience. After training at the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck, she went on to lead acclaimed restaurants including Aumbry, The Creameries and, most recently, Pip at Treehouse Hotel Manchester, which opened in 2025. 

A food columnist for The Guardian and co-founder of Eat Well MCR, Mary-Ellen is recognised for her creative cooking, community work and commitment to sustainable hospitality.

With a career spanning luxury hotels and restaurants across London, Dubai and India, Sameer Sehgal has worked with renowned brands including The Oberoi, The Dorchester, Armani Hotels and The Leela Palace, alongside chefs such as Alain Ducasse and Tom Aikens.

Passionate about creating memorable dining experiences, Sameer champions sustainable sourcing, multicultural leadership and mentoring the next generation of chefs, believing that great hospitality begins with happy teams and exceptional food.