Setting the pace for 2026: Sodexo Live! unveils its Michelin‑starred Royal Ascot line up with two new celebrity chefs
With less than a week to go, Sodexo Live! the official catering supplier to Ascot Racecourse, has unveiled its vision for Royal Ascot 2026 - bringing together an exceptional line-up of Michelin starred chefs with a more experience-led approach to hospitality.
As one of the highlights of the British social calendar, Royal Ascot is synonymous with world-class racing and premium dining. For 2026, Sodexo Live! is evolving that proposition further: pairing culinary excellence with an even sharper focus on service, atmosphere and the human moments that define great hospitality.
Now in its 28th year of partnership with Ascot Racecourse, Sodexo Live! will once again mobilise more than 5,000 experience makers across the five-day meeting. Together, they will deliver a seamless operation at scale - underpinned by a philosophy that exceptional food must be matched by equally exceptional service.
Among the highlights for 2026 are the Royal Ascot debuts of acclaimed British chef Steve Smith and the return of Angela Hartnett OBE, who joins the line up for the first time since 2014. She appears alongside returning culinary heavyweights Raymond Blanc OBE, Simon Rogan MBE, Tom Shepherd, Benoit Blin and Yannick Alléno, who bring a remarkable combined career total of 32 Michelin stars and together reinforcing Royal Ascot’s position as one of the most prestigious culinary stages in the UK.
While the presence of Michelin chefs remains a cornerstone, the 2026 approach goes further. Sodexo Live! continues to place equal emphasis on how these experiences are delivered - from front of house service to the overall guest journey, ensuring consistency and quality at every touchpoint.
Across the racecourse, guests can expect a carefully curated mix of dining concepts - from fine dining restaurants led by renowned chefs to more informal, high quality food experiences. Each has been designed to feel distinct yet connected, elevating the overall atmosphere of the event rather than operating in isolation.
The retail and restaurant experiences for 2026 include:
- The Queen Anne Kitchen by 7 Bone - Returning for a second year, serving up bold and indulgent smashed burgers in the Queen Anne Enclosure.
- Wright Brothers - Bringing their famed seafood experience to The Smokehouse in the Royal Enclosure, Wright Brothers will offer luxurious lobster, oysters, a show-stopping fruits de mer, and more - all made with responsibly sourced seafood from their UK-based supply network.
- Fame and Glory - A fresh take on street food, offering shawarma wraps with a choice of marinated chicken, halloumi, or plant-based fillings.
- 1768 Brasserie by James Tanner - An elevated dining experience curated by Ascot regular and much-loved TV chef James Tanner.
- Afternoon Tea by Benoit Blin - This year sees the return of renowned pâtissier Benoit Blin, guests can enjoy his exquisite afternoon tea in the Bandstand Kitchen.
Additionally, Beaverbrook balloons will be in the Lavender Courtyard for the second year, providing stunning backdrops for photo opportunities.
Talent spotlight: developing the next generation alongside the best in the business
The commitment Sodexo Live! has to nurturing future culinary talent continues, with Royal Ascot 2026 offering career shaping opportunities for student chefs and early-career professionals to work alongside some of the industry’s most respected names.
Selected team members from across Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland will take part in immersive placements, gaining hands on experience in this high-performance environment. Working within these elite kitchens offers a rare opportunity to learn not only technical excellence, but the discipline, teamwork and attention to detail required at the highest level.
This year, the programme also places greater emphasis on service and leadership development - recognising that outstanding hospitality
Royal Ascot continues to set the benchmark for premium hospitality, providing a unique platform where world class chefs and world class service come together. In 2026, we’re proud to welcome another exceptional Michelin starred line up, including Angela Hartnett, whose culinary approach perfectly complements the prestige of Royal Ascot.
Our role is to keep evolving the race day experience. This year, we’re laser focused on what exists beyond the food - the service, the energy and the people that bring it all together to ensure that every guest interaction matches the quality of what’s on the plate.
We can’t wait to welcome more than 285,000 people through the gates.
At Ascot Racecourse Sodexo Live! staff operate under the 1711 by Ascot partnership, which provides world-class catering and hospitality options across the racecourse in a range of enclosures including retail options, restaurants, fine dining and boxes. 1711 by Ascot also offers catering and hospitality off-site including support at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Dining at Royal Ascot continues to set the global benchmark, and this year’s line-up brings together some of the most celebrated and respected chefs working in Britain today.
Collectively, our Chefs in Residence hold an extraordinary 32 Michelin stars making Royal Ascot the most Michelin-starred sporting event in the world. With a shared commitment to excellence, precision and exceptional hospitality, every detail has been carefully considered to deliver a truly world-class experience.
We’re incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with Sodexo Live! and look forward to welcoming guests for another memorable event this summer.
Globally, Sodexo Live! supports some of the most well-known and high-profile sports clubs, events, and stadia. In the UK it partners with Henley Royal Regatta, Fulham FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Newcastle United FC, Nottingham Forest FC and the home of Scottish football, Hampden Park, to name a few. Internationally it delivers events such as Roland Garros, the Tour de France, the Miami Open and Miami Grand Prix, the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California, plus stadiums in the USA including the Hard Rock Stadium (home to the Miami Dolphins) and T-Mobile Park, home to the Seattle Mariners.