Pubs and bars selected for Street Food Championships

Two venues from the pub and bar industry will take part in the Street Food Championships final in November, as the annual cook-off returns to London.

On 18 November, BLOODsports, the sports bar concept from restaurant group MEATliquor, and independent business Tavern on the Hill, will join 14 other top street food operators 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.  

Tavern on the Hill comes from the team behind the Leytonstone Tavern pub, a previous finalist at the competition.

This year’s lineup (listed below) 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 Fire.

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. "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."  

The final is open to those within the hospitality industry. To register interest, operators should visit streetfoodchampions.co.uk. 

The 2025 Street Food Championships finalists 

Baked Bird, London 
Mint to be Spicy 

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

BLOODsports, London 
Chicago Dog 

BUN X NORWICH, Norwich 
TRIPLE B 

Café 77, Hitchin 
The 77 Double Cheeseburger 

Gourmet Warriors, Bristol 
Bolognese Birria Tacos 

Killa Waffles, London 
Killa Mac 

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 

Souvlaki Eatery, London 
Chicken Gyros Souvlaki Wrap 

Sushi Revolution, London 
Chicken Karaage Nanban 

Tavern on the Hill, London 
The Leslie Neilsen 

Thai Leisure Group, National  
Siam Showdown Burger 

The Rub BBQ, Hertfordshire 
Buffalo Dog 

The Restaurant Group, National  
Butter Paneer Toasties 

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