Ones to watch: The up-and-coming chefs to have on your radar

Here at SquareMeal, we’re all about shining a light on the best talent in the industry. And while the big names tend to get a lot of the spotlight, there are so many under-the-radar chefs that are just as worthy of a shoutout, if you ask us. Now, we’re not saying there isn’t a time and a place for your Michel Roux Jrs and Gordon Ramsays, but when there’s so much yet-to-be-realised talent making waves across the industry, we consider it our duty to put them on a pedestal.

What makes a chef ‘one to watch’ you ask? We’ve considered a mixture of things when curating this all-star line-up. Yes, you’ll find a couple of youngsters in here who are doing, quite frankly, unbelievable things for the few years they’ve been working in professional kitchens. But that’s not to say everyone in this list is below the age of 25. We’re championing the chefs that have worked tirelessly, day in and day out, to reach where they are today, as well as the ones that landed on their chef career in a uniquely roundabout way. Whether they’ve recently opened their first restaurant, are managing a prestigious kitchen team, or have made it onto the British public’s television screens by way of MasterChef or Great British Menu, everyone in this list has a stellar CV to be proud of.

Whether they’re blowing up right now or are likely to become headline news over the next few years, these are the best and brightest chefs to have on your radar right now. If there is anyone missing from the list who you think is worthy of a special mention, you can always reach out to us on social media to let us know. We’re always keen to hear about new and rising stars in the industry. Simply pop us a message on Instagram or Twitter – we’d love to chat to you!

Holly Middleton-Joseph

Who is she? Holly has taken a humble path into hospitality, initially working as an apprentice at Frank’s Bar in Peckham without any formal culinary training or professional background in food. Having found her calling in the kitchen, she collaborated with her brother, Tom, on a series of pop-ups before finding a permanent home for their listening bar-cum-restaurant, Hausu. As a queer female head chef, Holly is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring both her team and guests feel safe and valued.
Current role: Founder and head chef at Hausu

Nikita Pathakji

Who is she? Nikita recently made history as the first person to win both MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu. Riding the wave of her TV success, Nikita launched her debut restaurant, MAAI by Nikita, in May 2026. It specialises in modern British food and features her signature dishes from both competitions. With plenty of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens - including Core by Clare Smyth and Bibendum by Claude Bosi - we can’t wait to see Nikita flourish in her field.
Current role: Co-founder and chef at MAAI by Nikita

Adriann Ramirez

Who are they? Best known as @gay.nigella on Instagram, Adriann is a California-born pastry chef and multidisciplinary artist. Their bakes bridge food and art, often featuring perfectly whipped cream, delicately piped icing and unusual seasonal fruits. As Head of Pastry at cult London bakery group Fink's, Adriann has been a key figure in the brand's growth since 2017, which now boasts five sites across the city. When their not in the kitchen, you can catch them on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, writing recipes and publishing think pieces.
Current role: Head of Pastry at Fink's

Abbie Hendren

Who is she? Teal by Sally Abe is undeniably one of the biggest openings of 2026, and Abbie is at the heart of it. Abbie first caught Sally’s attention while competing on Great British Menu - a scenario that feels like the ultimate culinary meet-cute. As head chef, she brings 15 years of experience to the Teal kitchen, crafting distinctly retro British dishes, including devils on horseback, rose veal with sauce gribiche, and even a £1 penny lick.
Current role: Head chef at Teal by Sally Abe

Man Hon Luk

Who is he? From DJ to record shop owner to poker player, and now barbecue chef, Hon isn’t one to sit still. His journey into food began in 2021 during a trip to Austin, where he was introduced to Texan barbecue at the Michelin-starred InterStellar BBQ. Without any professional kitchen experience, he trained as a barbecue chef before launching a series of pop-ups back in London. More recently, he opened his first permanent site under the name Uncle Hon’s BBQ, where he serves Asian-inspired dishes such as Sichuan beef short ribs and spiced ox cheek.
Current role: Founder and head chef at Uncle Hon's BBQ

Christina Blevins

Who is she? Christina is currently head chef at Jason Atherton’s luxury two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Row on 5. Born in County Armagh, she worked at Deanes Meat Locker in Belfast before heading to London. She started at Jason Atherton’s Little Social before moving to Outlaws at The Capital, and later spent seven years at Core by Clare Smyth. With extensive experience in Michelin-starred kitchens, Christina supported Row on 5 to secure its first Michelin star just months after opening, followed by a second the following year.
Current role: Head chef at Row on 5

Dow Panyawong and Tintin Jonsson

Who are they? Dow and Tintin have become a formidable duo in London’s food scene since launching their joint pop-up Filipino Thai Friendship towards the end of last year. Prior to that, the pair were working on independent food concepts (Ginn Khao and Swilipino) but saw an opportunity to join forces. In bringing together their Filipino and Thai heritages, they have created a unique dining experience that flip-flops between the two cuisines. Filipino Thai Friendship has recently popped up at My Neighbours The Dumplings and Bruno, and we’re keeping a watchful eye on what’s next.
Current roles: Co-founders and chefs at Filipino Thai Friendship

Diarmuid Goodwin

Who is he? Belfast-born Diarmuid has been steadily growing his profile in the hospitality industry - he previously worked as head chef at Sager + Wilde, prior to which he honed his craft under Angela Hartnett at Michelin-starred Murano. As of late, though, the burgeoning chef has circled back to his heritage, with a range of Irish-inspired pop-ups featuring hearty, rustic plates, like bannock bread and butter, and Cashel Blue madeleine. So far, he’s jumped on the pans at Godet, Albers and the London Irish Centre, making time for television appearances in between too.
Current role: Pop-ups and private chef

Livia Alarcon

Who is she? From earning Jason Atherton’s approval on BBC’s The Chefs’ Brigade to receiving a glowing review from Jay Rayner and playing a key role in developing the Middle Eastern restaurant group Maray, Livia has always been one to impress. In December 2025, she launched her first restaurant, Chin-Zano, on Liverpool’s Love Lane, where she serves modern Italian cuisine. With her culinary talent and entrepreneurial eye, we can see Livia going the distance. 
Current role: Founder and head chef at Chin-Zano

Ewan Waller

Who is he? In February 2026, Ewan became a Michelin-starred chef at just 24 years old. Having worked under Rafael Cagali at two-Michelin-starred Da Terra, Ewan was entrusted with the role of head chef at Rafael’s latest opening, Mare. The Brazilian-Italian restaurant launched in September 2025 and, within six months, became the proud recipient of Brighton and Hove’s only Michelin star - the first awarded in the area since the 1970s.
Current role: Head chef at Maré by Rafael Cagali

Jess Furniss

Who is she? You can find Jess on the pans at Stockport’s Where The Light Gets In - a lovely, lofty restaurant with a sustainable ethos and a deep appreciation for quality produce. Born in south-west London, Jess found her way there after becoming head of pastry at Pollen Bakery, which led to her running the pastry section at WTLGI. Now, as head chef, she curates a five-course sharing menu rooted in the changing seasons.
Current role: Head chef at Where The Light Gets In

Joe Couldridge

Who is he? Some of you may remember Joe from his time as head chef at Dalston pub The Prince Arthur, where he gained a following for his hyper-seasonal, daily changing menu. During his tenure, the beloved boozer received rave reviews from critics and was consistently booked out, with guests settling for seats on the curb just to be part of the experience. Since then, he’s hosted a range of sought-after pop-ups at The Camberwell Arms, Newcomer Wines and Duchy. If he decides to return to a permanent kitchen anytime soon, we’ll be first in line for a table.
Current role: Pop-ups and private chef

Dara Klein

Who is she? Dara Klein is the chef and founder of Tiella, which originated as a Pugliese pop-up before evolving into a standalone restaurant in Hackney. Since opening, her trattoria-style debut has skyrocketed into one of the hottest reservations in London, earning rave reviews from nearly every critic in the city. Despite the hype, Tiella maintains a casual, neighbourhood feel, where walk-ins are very much welcome and the chicken Milanese flies off the hook. As if opening a restaurant wasn't enough work, Dara has also recently released her first cookbook 'La Trattoria.'
Current role: Founder of Tiella

Josh Dallaway

Who is he? Josh isn’t exactly new to the industry - he’s been honing his craft for over 15 years at some of London’s coolest restaurants, including Sager + Wilde and Brunswick House. In 2025, Josh launched a Portuguese- and Spanish-inspired concept, Tasca, with his partner and sommelier, Sinead Murdoch. The residency found its feet at Cav in Bethnal Green and is will soon be taking over Project 44 in Shoreditch for the summer. The pair have previously hinted that they want to take time developing Tasca before diving into a permanent spot, so we could be looking at the beginnings of something much bigger.
Current role: Co-founder and chef at Tasca

Louisa Ellis

Who is she? Michelin-trained private chef Louisa is best known for reaching the final of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2017 and, more recently, appearing on Great British Menu. Her CV features a range of prestigious kitchens, including The Wilderness in Birmingham and Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham. With a flair for fine dining and a growing presence on social media, Louisa is certainly one to watch.
Current role: Private chef

Ash Valenzuela-Heeger

Who is she? Winning the Michelin Young Chef Award for 2025 catapulted Ash into the limelight of the food world, where she was recognised for her ‘inventive and invigorating’ cooking at Birmingham restaurant Riverine Rabbit. The chef moved from South Africa to the UK with her wife Erin in 2020, and the pair spent a few months running pop-ups across the city, establishing themselves in its culinary landscape. Then, they opened a permanent site for Riverine Rabbit in Stirchley - a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with South African, Asian and British influences.
Current role: Head chef and founder of Riverine Rabbit

Tom Hamblet

Who is he? Tom Hamblet has become synonymous with luxury hotel group Exclusive Collection as he continues to carve out an impressive career at one of its most prestigious restaurants. He was made head chef at Lainston House’s flagship restaurant, The Avenue, following a successful residency that ended up being extended an extra two months due to popular demand. Prior to that, he worked at South Lodge Hotel’s Camellia, a gig he landed after winning MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 at the tender age of 23. 
Current role: Head chef at The Avenue at Lainston House

Darcie Maher

Who is she? Baker-patron of world class Lannan Bakery in Edinburgh, Darcie, is the hottest name in British baking right now. She first made a name for herself while working at The Palmerston in Edinburgh, where she was given license to experiment with her own inventive bakes and flavour combinations. Talks about her first solo venture came to the fore in 2023 when she and a powerhouse team launched Lannan in Stockbridge, quickly attaining cult status as punters queued out the door to try her perfectly laminated pastries and artisan sourdough. You can read all about her favourite bakeries in Britain here. 
Current role: Head pastry chef at Lannan

Ella Williams

Who is she? Ella Williams is a name we expect to be hearing much more of over the next few years. You might have spied her on TopJaw waxing lyrical about her favourite London restaurants – go watch that if you haven’t already. Her work ethic is something to be marveled at, bagging her first chef role at the age of 15, and later founding her own supper club Ode Sunday Supperclub in 2021, all while holding down a full-time kitchen job. She’s worked at Park Lane Hotel, Café Murano, Mountain and many more. Now, you can find her cooking up a storm at No.Forty Nine, an all-day bakery, bistro and wine bar. 
Current role: Head chef at No. Forty Nine

For more top-quality food by some of the UK's leading chefs, take a look at our guide to every three Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK. You can also explore SquareMeal's Female Chef of the Year series, which features interviews with Ayesha Kalaji, Maria Bradford, and Nieves Barragán Mohacho.