Sixteen operators chosen for Street Food Championships 2025

The UK’s street food scene will take centre stage this November, as the annual Street Food Championships return to the capital for a day of live cook-offs and celebrations.

On 18 November, 16 of the UK’s top street food operators will compete at London’s Big Penny Social, showcasing their creativity, bold flavours and culinary passion in a bid to win the coveted Street Food Dish of the Year title.

This year’s lineup brings together a unique mix of competitors, from national names like Bill’s, Thai Leisure Group and The Restaurant Group, to independent favourites including The Rub BBQ and Smoke Meat and Fire. Industry newcomers such as Tavern on the Hill will also test their skills, while social media favourites like Killa Waffles and Bun X Norwich promise to bring creative flair to the table.

The event will feature four timed heats specially designed for the chefs to showcase their skills. Competitors will face the Major Wings Challenge, the Lee Kum Kee Ultimate Umami Challenge, a Technical round where they must create a dish using a range of sponsor ingredients and, finally, the Signature Challenge, where they must create the very dish that earned them a place in the competition.

Street food celebration

“Street food is the beating heart of UK foodie culture and should be celebrated – and we intend to do just that,” says Tamsyn Halm, editor of OOH Magazine, which hosts the event alongside sister title, Dine Out.

“This year we had so many incredible entries, making the selection process tougher than ever – but the lineup reflects the best of both established talent and fresh new voices. We cannot wait to see what the chefs have in store for this year’s competition.”

With fierce competition and a buzzing atmosphere, the 2025 Street Food Championships promises to be one of the most exciting UK street food events of the year. This year’s finalists aren’t just battling for the title, they’re also competing for a game-changing prize: a one-month rent-free residency at Mercato Metropolitano’s iconic Elephant and Castle venue.

Want to find out who will take home the crown? Register to attend the event for free at streetfoodchampions.co.uk.

The Street Food Championships are sponsored by: Conglom International, Lamb Weston, Lee Kum Kee, Lucky Boat, Major, P&G Pro, Pepsi and The Tofoo Co.

The 2025 Street Food Championships finalists

Baked Bird, London
Mint to be Spicy

Bill’s, National
Bill’s Chilli Cheeseburger Loaded Fries

BUN X NORWICH, Norwich
TRIPLE B

Gourmet Warriors, Bristol
Bolognese Birria Tacos

Killa Waffles, London
Killa Mac

Libertine Burger, Warwickshire
Libertine Burger #888

One Tonne Burger Co, Portsmouth
The USP

Ro Vietnamese, London
Pork Banh Mi

Smoke Meat and Fire, Wigan
Nashville Hot Salt and Pepper Chicken Burger

Sushi Revolution, London
Chicken Karaage Nanban

Tavern on the Hill, London
The Leslie Neilsen

Thai Leisure Group, National
Siam Showdown Burger

The Otley Burger Company, Otley
Il Maledetto Formaggio

The Rub BBQ, Hertfordshire
Buffalo Dog

The Restaurant Group, National
Butter Paneer Toasties

The Weeping Chef, Hertfordshire
Texas Smoked Beef Brisket Wrap

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