Nando’s UK & Ireland has crowned its top Griller following the final of Nando’s Grillers’ Challenge 2026.
Esme Bye, from Nando’s Red Lion Street in Norwich, earned the title of UK & Ireland Griller of the Year after progressing through the brand’s flagship skills competition.
She will now represent the region at the International Grillers’ Challenge Final in Perth, Australia, in October.
Grillers’ Challenge is Nando’s international competition, celebrating the passion, precision and expertise behind its flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken.
Each participating country puts its best Grillers through a series of challenges to identify a national champion. Those champions then compete at the International Grillers’ Challenge Final, where one will be crowned the world’s top Griller.
Joining Esme Bye in the UK & Ireland final were Berk Yakiki and Mia Redfearn, whose performances throughout the competition earned them runner-up positions.
Speaking after being crowned champion, Esme said: “Winning Grillers’ Challenge is an incredible feeling. The competition has given me the chance to learn so much, develop my skills, build my confidence and connect with amazing Nandocas from across the UK and Ireland. It’s such a unique opportunity and really shows what’s possible at Nando’s when you put yourself forward and embrace new challenges. To represent the UK & Ireland at the International Final is something I’m incredibly proud of, and an experience I’ll never forget.”
This year’s competition was the biggest yet in the UK & Ireland, with more than 500 restaurant heats, 54 quarter-finals and seven semi-finals taking place before the country’s top Grillers earned their place in the national final.
Garry Duncan, Operations Director of Nando’s UK & Ireland, said: “Huge congratulations to Esme on becoming our UK & Ireland Grillers’ Challenge Champion 2026. This achievement reflects an exceptional level of skill, consistency, passion and commitment to her craft. I’d also like to congratulate Berk and Mia, whose performances helped make this year’s final a fantastic celebration of the talent we have across our restaurants. The dedication, expertise and determination shown throughout the competition have been truly inspiring.”
He added: “Grillers’ Challenge is about much more than grilling chicken. It celebrates the people behind our famous PERi-PERi chicken, shines a spotlight on the expertise that makes Nando’s so special and honours our Southern African heritage. The competition also gives Nandocas the opportunity to challenge themselves, broaden their horizons and showcase what they can achieve. Every year we’re blown away by the talent on display, and this year’s competition has been no exception.”
Having secured the UK & Ireland title, Esme will now travel to Perth, Australia, to join Grillers from across the Nando’s world at the International Grillers’ Challenge Final.
There, she will compete for the title of World Griller of the Year, representing the UK and Ireland on the international stage.
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