#017 - Danny Young - National Chef of the Year 2025

Guest: Danny Young – National Chef of the Year 2025, Head Chef at The Torridon

Host: Phil Street

In this inspiring episode, Phil sits down with the awesome Danny Young — National Chef of the Year 2025 and Head Chef at The Torridon — to talk about his journey from a curious young cook in the North West to one of the UK’s most exciting culinary talents.

Danny shares his path through Michelin starred kitchens, his approach to leadership and learning, and how the discipline of competition has shaped his creativity, confidence, and commitment to the craft. With warmth, humility, and humour, he reflects on what drives him to keep pushing for excellence while staying grounded in passion and teamwork.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Danny’s early love of cooking and how curiosity set him on his path.
• The influence of Lisa Goodwin-Allen and his journey through Northcote.
• How joining The Torridon opened a new chapter of creative freedom and responsibility.
• The role of competitions and his winning National Chef of the Year journey
• What it really takes to perform at your best under pressure.
• The power of mentorship, feedback, and lifelong learning.
• Why creativity thrives in structure, and how Danny balances both.
• His views on kitchen culture, mental resilience, and leading by example.

Listen now for:

• Why passion without discipline won’t get you to the top — and vice versa.
• How competition pushes you to discover your true cooking identity.
• The value of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.
• Danny’s thoughts on the next generation of chefs and how the industry can nurture them.

Memorable Quotes:

• “You’ve got to stay curious — that’s where all the great cooking starts.” – Danny Young
• “Competition teaches you how to handle pressure, but also how to enjoy it” – Danny Young
• “It’s not about ego; it’s about excellence” – Danny Young
• “You learn most when things don’t go right” – Danny Young

This episode is for:

• Chefs chasing excellence and growth in their craft
• Aspiring competitors looking for insight into the National Chef of the Year experience
• Hospitality professionals passionate about leadership, learning, and teamwork
• Anyone who loves hearing about the drive and heart behind great cooking

Links & Resources:

• Phil Street (Host): LinkedIn & Instagram @hospitalitymeets
• Danny Young: Instagram @dannyyoungchef
• The Torridon: www.thetorridon.com
• National Chef of the Year: www.nationalchefoftheyear.co.uk
• Craft Guild of Chefs: | Craft Guild of Chefs

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