A Lisburn chef has been named Ireland’s Next Top Chef after winning the final of the prestigious culinary competition at the Balmoral Hotel. Scott Mallet took the top spot with a three-course menu, securing an all-expenses-paid placement at the two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London.

Mallet competed against Adam McCourt of Hillyard House Hotel, Co Down, and Osvaldo Pérez Carmona of La Pausa Caffe, Dublin. He had also reached the grand final the previous year but did not win. His return this year was marked by what the judging panel described as exceptional consistency across every round.

The winning menu began with tuna tartare paired with peanut and sesame crumb, watermelon and wasabi. That was followed by beef cheek accompanied by black garlic, shiitake mushroom, potato tart, hispi cabbage, chestnut, beef bonbon and jus. He completed the meal with a refined carrot cake served alongside orange, honey tuile and miso ice cream. Judges highlighted his technical precision, confident execution and outstanding flavour.

The prize includes an all-expenses-paid stage at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London. Mallet said that after missing out last year he returned with greater determination, and the experience across the competition rounds had tested his creativity, organisation and ability to perform under pressure. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from colleagues at Cafe Zulu and from family and friends.

John Trainor, chairperson of Ireland’s Next Top Chef, stated that Mallet’s achievement was all the more significant given the high standard of this year’s entries. Trainor said the chef’s winning menu demonstrated outstanding skill, attention to detail, and the confidence to let quality ingredients speak for themselves. He predicted this was only the beginning of a successful career.