Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2025 and here is our seventh category BEST CHEF 2025. VOTE HERE:
The awards will be held on Monday May 12 at The Ashmolean, with a fabulous after party at Dishoom’s Permit Room in Oxford.
Sponsored by headliners Goldstar Recruitment and The Feathers, with Brandpay and Jolly Foods, as well as Oxford Fine Dining and Grape Minds on board, and Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir fame lined up to host, the voting kicks off today. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
In alphabetical order, the nominations for BEST CHEF 2025 are: VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Adam Brown – Killingworth Castle, Wootton near Woodstock – paramount to the success of this brilliant country gastropub, you are guaranteed some truly rarefied food where consistency is the name of the game for Adam and standards never slip. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Aimee Collins – Five Little Pigs, Wallingford – Her menus are like no-one else’s; nostalgic, whimsical, fiercely seasonal and sustainable, from the cocktails through to brunch, all day dining, and suppers it’s always a joy to delve into her cooking and see what surprises she has in store. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Andrew Carr – The Yurt at Nicholsons, North Aston – Never rests on his laurels, he embraces the restaurant’s sustainability credentials with some delicate, careful and ambitious dishes. Proving that The Yurt’s offering is way above the offering of most garden centres, it’s now a destination venue all in its own right thanks to Andrew and his wizardry in the kitchen. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Andy Lewis – Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor – Unremitting in his quest to reinvent the culinary wheel, his artistry and exceptional presentation draws in the crowds, the perfect match for this tasteful and renowned country pub, where food has always been the number one priority. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Ashleigh Farrand, Kingham Plough – Paving the way for young women going into the hospitality industry, taking on the role of head chef aged just 23, she’s been proving her worth ever since, most recently on BBC’s Great British Menu. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Ben Watson, Golden Ball, Lower Assendon – having previously worked at Core by Clare Smyth, Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social and Little Social, The Square and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, he is now chef patron of his own gaff, where his Modern European menus are blended with Punjabi influences to reflect his wife Priya’s heritage and going down a storm. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Ben Whyles, Arbequina, Cowley Road – his many fans know their meal at this Cowley Road stalwart will always be exceptional. Simple dishes maybe, but the tapas hailing from his open plan kitchen is admirable, each plate memorable, delicious and highly skilled. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Chloe Horner – Chloe’s in Charlbury. Her repertoire is full of surprises; influenced by her travels, local producers and her whims, but always adventurous, fun and comforting. Reinventing the way restaurants are run in terms of a work/life balance, her gourmet reputation precedes her. Everyone loves Chloe and her food. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Hendrik Dutson-Steinfeld, Duck On The Pond, South Newington – Hugely motivated and inventive, his taster menus don’t hold back in their unpredictability and brilliance. Always pushing forward, he uses as much produce from their own gardens as possible. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
James Erasmus, Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote has taken over the reins at this well regarded culinary bolthole and is already making a big impression. His CV is impressive with The Ledbury and La Columbe in Cape Town to his credit, some of his South African influences already making themselves known on his menus. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Johnny Parke – Back Lane Tavern, Woodstock and OXTWO Summertown – Heading up Summertown’s new venture while running the team in Woodstock, he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment, but as both are flourishing, the results are speaking for themselves. Does things his own way, following his instincts and flair, he plays to his own strengths. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Luke Rawicki, Nest, The Feathers, Woodstock – his attention to detail and huge skillset is already making waves nationally as The Feathers’ accolades flow in. From an immaculate Sunday lunch to his refined menus, every dish is elevated, making quite an impression. One to watch! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Mark Chandler, White Hart, Fyfield – Last year’s winner, Mark and is team continue to produce some stunning food, which continually evolves at this highly acclaimed gastropub where the seasons reign supreme and as much of the produce is grown on site as possible. Field to fork in its element. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Mike North – Nut Tree, Murcott. A must, his ceaseless devotion to his menus a constant, as 17 years with a Michelin star prove. Keeping the pressure on and his customers happy, he is renowned for good reason. A true doyen, his food is a gift. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Nat Berney, The Lamb, Little Milton – his ex-Manoir credentials put him in good stead, but this new village pub has given him the freedom and scope to forge his own path, and he’s making quite an impression. A great new addition to the esteemed chefs line-up in Oxfordshire, it’s inspiring to see him develop. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Pascal Wiedemann, Pompette, Summertown – Having honed his skills with Henry Harris at Racine, then Terroirs with Ed Wilson and Six Portland Road, his offering in this charming Summertown restaurant showcases his hereditary Alsace-Lorraine inspired menus which are a joy to behold, and taste. His sophisticated and unique style is therefore hugely popular. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Ryan and Liam Simpson-Trotman, Orwells, Shiplake – their food defies belief, the couple’s evident zeal and enjoyment of ingredients shining through in each of their many and varied dishes. Really exciting, it’s a privilege to dine under their mantle. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Sam Bowser – Wild Rabbit, Kingham. Chefs come and go but Sam’s firm grip on the kitchens of this enormously popular Cotswold pub, remains as skilful and inspired as ever. Calm, confident and creative, it’s a big job as is his advocacy of really fresh and seasonal ingredients, mainly from the Daylesford mother ship. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
Samuel Squires – Old Crown, Faringdon – It’s a big job, especially as the country hotel’s reputation continues to grow. And Samuel’s prowess in the kitchen plays a big part, his elegant, refined and aspiring food pushing forward. A big name. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
There are 10 categories and we will be announcing one every day for the next 10 days. These include BEST NEWCOMER, BEST PUB/BAR, BEST CAFE, BEST RESTAURANT, BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN, BEST CHEF, BEST GASTROPUB, BEST EUROPEAN, BEST GLOBAL, BEST COMMUNITY FOOD HERO.
The top four nominations from each category will be invited to the glittering ceremony where the winners will be announced, so get voting and pick your favourite.
You can only vote once in each category, so keep voting every day in all 10 categories! Voting ends at the beginning of May. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/zdfzytwb
