Lisburn chef Scott Mallet named as Ireland’s Next Top Chef

The Lisburn chef went up against Adam McCourt of Hillyard House Hotel, Co Down, and Osvaldo Pérez Carmona of La Pausa Caffe in Dublin in the final of the prestigious competition at the Balmoral Hotel and reached the top spot with an exceptional three-course menu after missing out in the final last year.

The victory secures Scott an all-expenses-paid placement at the two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London, where he will gain invaluable experience alongside one of the world's leading culinary teams.

After progressing through weeks of demanding knockout rounds, Scott reserved his finest performance for the competition's biggest stage.

His opening Tuna Tartare, served with peanut and sesame crumb, watermelon and wasabi, immediately caught the judges' attention before a beautifully executed Beef Cheek, accompanied by black garlic, shiitake mushroom and potato tart, hispi cabbage, chestnut, beef bonbon and jus.

He completed the menu with a refined Carrot Cake, served with orange, honey tuile and miso ice cream, capping a performance that blended technical precision, confident execution and outstanding flavour.

"To be named Ireland's Next Top Chef is an incredible feeling and something I'm immensely proud of,” said Scott.

"The standard throughout the competition has been so high, so to come away with the title against chefs of that calibre means a huge amount.

"Coming back after reaching last year's Grand Final gave me even more determination to improve.

"Every round forced me to think differently. It tested my creativity, my organisation and my ability to stay calm under pressure, and I know those experiences will stay with me throughout my career.

"I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Cafe Zulu for the support they've given me, and to my family, friends and colleagues who have backed me from the very beginning.

"To now have the opportunity to spend time at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is something every young chef would aspire to.

"I’ll be going there ready to learn, challenge myself and make the very most of an opportunity that could shape the rest of my career."

John Trainor, Chairperson of Ireland's Next Top Chef, said: "Scott has been outstanding throughout this competition and thoroughly deserves to be crowned Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026.

"To come back after reaching last year's Grand Final and return to win the competition says everything about his determination and commitment to continually improving as a chef.

"From the moment he entered the kitchen, he showed the composure, technical ability and creativity that mark out exceptional chefs, but what impressed the judges just as much was his consistency. Every challenge seemed to bring out the very best in him.

"The standard of this year's competition has been exceptional, which makes Scott's achievement even more significant.

"His winning menu showcased not only outstanding skill and attention to detail, but also the confidence to let quality ingredients speak for themselves. He should be incredibly proud of what he has achieved.

"I have no doubt this is only the beginning of what will be a hugely successful career."