The Jane Grigson Trust Sous Chef Award – Rules of Entry

  1. Entry is open to writers who are writing for the first time a non-fiction book about food or drink. (Writers who have previously written on other subjects are eligible, although all previous books must be declared, with publisher and date of publication.)
  2. Entry is only open to authors of books which have received a commission for publication by a recognised professional publishing house, which has not been paid by the author and which publishes more than one writer and distributes their works via recognised channels such as online retailers and through bookshops. Print and/or ebooks are eligible. Self-published books are not eligible. Proof of commission (in the form of either a copy of a contract or a letter of intent from the publisher) is required.
  3. First books to be published by a recognised professional publishing house (see above) by authors who have previously only self-published are eligible for the Award.  Any self-published books must be declared with dates of publication.
  4. The book’s proposed publication date must be after 31 March 2027.
  5. Entry is open to UK citizens or to foreign nationals who have been resident in the UK for more than three years. Proof of citizenship (in the form of a scan of the photo page of a UK passport) or residency (in the form of a scan of the photo page of a non-UK passport and a utility bill or similar) are required.
  6. Entry is open to books with more than one author, as long as all the authors are eligible.
  7. The entry must be written in the English language.
  8. Entries must be all the entrants’ own work.  Ghostwritten books are not eligible.
  9. The entry must take the form of the proposal or other material on the basis of which the book was commissioned, plus a short rationale on why you should win the award and explanation of what you would do with the award money (to be written by author; no more than 300 words)
  10. Either authors, their publishers or agents may make the entry. Individual authors may enter only one work. Publishers and agents may enter only one work per eligible author.
  11. Entries must be sent by email only to [email protected] before midnight 30 November 2026. No entry received after this date is eligible.
  12. All entrants agree that, should they be shortlisted for the Award, they can be contacted by the Sous Chef marketing team.
  13. The decision of the administrators of the Award as to eligibility is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  14. Submission of entry implies acceptance of all the rules.  Failure to comply with the rules may result in disqualification.

Please note that no entries or entry documents can be returned.

How to enter

Judging

This year’s judging panel includes two past winners of the award, food writers Gurdeep Loyal and Riaz Phillips, alongside Chairman of the Jane Grigson Trust Donald Sloan, Sous Chef founder Nicola Lando, and food writers and Jane Grigson Trustees Henrietta Green and Felicity Cloake.

The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The Jane Grigson Trust reserves the right to change the panel of judges without notice.

Shortlist and Winner

The shortlist of three will be announced in February 2027. If you have not heard from the administrator of the Award by end February 2027, your entry has been unsuccessful.

The winner of the Award will be announced at an award ceremony in March 2027.