Congratulations to all the young chefs that took part in the final of South West Junior Chef of the Year 2018!
Sponsored by Lympstone Manor and Michael Caines MBE
Six very talented young cooks gathered at Ashburton Cookery School on Saturday 6th October for the final of South West Junior Chef of the Year 2018. Already winners of the Junior Chef title in their own counties, our six young finalists, aged 13-15, left our judges in no doubt that the future of the industry is in very safe hands! The cooking skills on display from all six finalists were truly impressive, belying their years and demonstrating the dedication and ambition of these budding chefs.
Many congratulations to Conor Boakes who was selected by our judges as South West Junior Chef of the Year 2018! Conor, aged just 13, cooked roast venison loin with a faggot, Pommes Anna, celeriac purée and a blackberry sauce. Thank you very much to all who took part in the competition – you will find details of all finalists, their mentors and their dishes below.
Many thanks to our judges for the day: Michael Caines MBE, Liam Finnegan, Neil Haydock, Darrin Hosegrove, Michael Nizzero and Chris Tanner and thank you very much to all at Ashburton Cookery School for hosting the final.
Each of the finalists was mentored by one of our county judges to help them to prepare for the final. Many thanks to all of our chef mentors (outlined below) who very kindly gave their time to help our competitors further develop their skills.
The South West Home Cook of the Year final, sponsored by Ashburton Cookery School, was also held on 6th October and the winner will be announced at our awards presentation on 24th October.
Awards
Conor will now be invited to collect his award at our awards presentation evening on 24th October when we will also be celebrating the 15th anniversary of South West Chef of the Year. If you would like to join us then for a fabulous dinner prepared by previous winners of the competition, tickets are available through the website – click here for more details.
South West Junior Chef finalists and judges 2018Congratulations to South West Junior Chef of the Year 2018:
Conor Boakes
Somerset Junior Chef of the Year
Whitstone School, Shepton Mallet
Mentored by Liam Finnegan, Head Chef, The Castle Hotel, Taunton
Roast venison loin with a faggot, Pommes Anna, celeriac purée and a blackberry sauce
Well done to all other finalists:
Eva Bolton-Lake
Gloucestershire Junior Chef of the Year
Maidenhill School, Stonehouse
Mentored by Gus Ashenford, Chef Proprietor, Restaurant 5 North Street, Winchcombe
Chicken, leek and mushroom pie
Rhys Griffith
Wiltshire Junior Chef of the Year
Wellington Academy, Tidworth
Mentored by Hywel Jones, Executive Chef, Lucknam Park, Bath
Hampshire chicken breast served with fondant potato and peas à la franҫaise
Jorgia Pickett
Cornwall Junior Chef of the Year
Callington Community College
Mentored by Stephane Delourme, Head Chef, The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
Seafood tagliatelle
Katie Prigg
Dorset Junior Chef of the Year
The Gryphon School, Sherborne
Mentored by Pete Murt, Head Chef, Rick Steins Sandbanks
Hand raised Somerset pork and black pudding pie, with Somerset apple cider chutney, sweet potato and Somerset cheddar mash and cabbage
Samantha Taylor-Clarke
Devon Junior Chef of the Year
Stover School, Newton Abbot
Mentored by Mark Dodson, Chef Proprietor, The Masons Arms, Knowstone
Pork Tor Newton – Devon pork tenderloin, flambéed in 15 year old cask Devon cider brandy, dauphinoise potato layered with a carrot ribbon, caramelised turned Granny Smith, Vichy heritage carrots, wild garlic oil, greengage purée, cider jus.
Lead sponsor:
Read on for details of our 15th anniversary dinner and awards evening.
15th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Evening
Join us to celebrate our 15th anniversary on Wednesday 24th October when we will also announce the winners of South West Chef of the Year 2018!
Tickets are now available for our celebration evening when the awards will be presented following a wonderful meal prepared by three guest chefs, all previous winners of South West Chef of the Year:
Starter:
Rob Cox
South West Chef of the Year 2017 and Head Chef, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Clearwell, Gloucestershire
Main:
Matt Mason
South West Chef of the Year 2007 and now a judge and head chef, The Jack in the Green Inn, Rockbeare, Devon
Dessert:
Mike Tweedie
South West Chef of the Year 2012 and head chef, Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Our chefs will be assisted in the kitchen and front-of-house by students of the Michael Caines Academy.
This evening brings about a rare gathering of the region’s hospitality industry including our finalists, judges, sponsors and many more and is kindly sponsored and hosted by Exeter Golf and Country Club.
The evening will begin with a drinks reception followed by a three-course meal, with wines perfectly paired with our menu, and coffee and petits fours to finish. Tickets are available at £90 each. Make sure you book soon – click here for more information about the evening and to book your tickets.
Comments are closed.