The young cooks of the South West returned to the kitchens of the region’s catering colleges during June to compete to become the leading young chef in their own counties and to gain a place in the final of South West Junior Chef of the Year 2022.
Competitors were aged just 11-16 and our judges in all six counties were so delighted to see the level of ambition and skill among such young cooks, which left them confident that the industry will be in safe hands in the years to come.
The six county winners (outlined below) will now meet at the final of South West Junior Chef of the Year, sponsored by Nisbets, on Saturday 1st October at Exeter College and each finalist will have the opportunity to spend time in the kitchens of our judges over the summer to help them develop their dish further for the final and to enable them to experience life in a working kitchen whilst building their culinary skills and confidence.
We are extremely grateful to all of the county judges (see below) who give up their time so generously to judge the competition and provide helpful feedback to all competitors and particularly to those who support the finalists through the mentoring process.
Thank you also to the catering colleges who kindly host the county finals, offering the young cooks a taster of life as a catering student.
Well done to all who took part in the county finals, creating such tough competitions in each county and many congratulations to the winners (outlined below). We would also like to extend our thanks to the parents, guardians and teachers of all competitors for supporting them throughout the competition, including patiently enjoying the same tea on numerous occasions during practice runs!
Cornwall
Cornwall College, Camborne
Cornwall Junior Chef of the Year 2022
Freya – Penrice Academy, St Austell
Judges:
- Pete Murt – Head Chef, The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
- Jude Kereama – Chef Proprietor, Kota Restaurant, Porthleven
- Clyde Conellan – Chef Lecturer, Cornwall College
Mentor judge:
Pete Murt
Cornwall Junior finalists
- Elizabeth – Penryn College, Penryn
- Emma – Penair School, Truro
- Freya – Penrice Academy, St Austell
- George – Helston Community College, Helston
- Samuel – Penrice Academy, St Austell
- Thomas – Mounts Bay Academy, Penzance
Devon
Exeter College
Devon Junior Chef of the Year 2022
Syd – Torquay Academy
Judges:
- Mark Dodson – Chef Proprietor, The Masons Arms, Knowstone
- Scott Paton – Executive Chef, Àclèaf, Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plympton
- Paul Carne – Chef Lecturer, Exeter College
Mentor judge:
Mark Dodson/Scott Paton
Devon Junior finalists
- Ashton – The Spires College, Torquay
- Fay – Honiton Community College, Honiton
- Izzy – Plymouth High School for Girls, Plymouth
- Jamie – The Spires College, Torquay
- Liam – The Spires College, Torquay
- Syd – Torquay Academy, Torquay
- Tom – Trinity School, Teignmouth
Dorset
Bournemouth and Poole College
Dorset Junior Chef of the Year 2022
Harvey – Highcliffe School, Christchurch
Judges:
- Russell Brown – Director, Creative About Cuisine
- Sam Hughes – Head Chef at Rick Stein, Sandbanks
- Gary Kilminster – Business Development Executive, Essential Cuisine
- David Marshall – Chef Lecturer, Bournemouth & Poole College
Mentor judge:
Sam Hughes
Dorset Junior finalists
- Jessica – Lytchett Minster School, Lytchett Minster
- Mikaila – Ferndown Upper School, Ferndown
- Eliesha – Lytchett Minster School, Lytchett Minster
- Alfie – Woodroffe School, Lyme Regis
- Harvey – Highcliffe School, Christchurch
- Megan – Ferndown Middle School, Ferndown
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire College, Cheltenham
Gloucestershire Junior Chef of the Year 2022
Anya – Katherine Lady Berkeley’s School, Wotton-under-Edge
Judges:
- Gus Ashenford – Chef Proprietor, Restaurant 5 North Street, Winchcombe
- Gareth Fulford – Purslane Restaurant, Cheltenham
- Renark Cousins – Chef Lecturer, Gloucestershire College
Mentor judge:
Gus Ashenford/Gareth Fulford
Gloucestershire Junior finalists
- Anya – Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School, Wotton-under-Edge
- Daisy – Newent Community High School, Newent
- Eli – Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School, Wotton-under-Edge
- Harry – Henley Bank High School, Gloucester
- Harvey – Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School, Wotton-under-Edge
- Shantaye – Henley Bank High School, Gloucester
Somerset
Bridgwater and Taunton College, Taunton
Somerset Junior Chef of the Year 2022
Alexina – King’s Bruton School, Bruton
Judges:
- Chris Cleghorn – Executive Chef, The Olive Tree, Queensberry Hotel, Bath
- Andrew Swann – Executive Chef, The Castle Hotel, Taunton
- James Jones – Chef Lecturer, Bridgwater and Taunton College
Mentor judge:
Andrew Swann
Somerset Junior finalists
- Alexina – King’s Bruton School, Bruton
- Angelica – Queen’s College, Taunton
- Oliver – Court Fields School, Wellington
- Poppy – The King Alfred School and Academy, Highbridge
- Summer-Paige – Heathfield Community School, Taunton
- Theo – Westfield Academy, Yeovil
Wiltshire
Wiltshire College Trowbridge
Wiltshire Junior Chef of the Year 2022
James – St John’s School, Marlborough
Judges:
- Ed Marsh, Head Chef, The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe and current South West Chef of the Year
- Stephen Lloyd, Chef Lecturer, Wiltshire College
Mentor judge:
Hywel Jones, Executive Chef, Lucknam Park, Bath
Wiltshire Junior finalists
- Aran – Appleford School, Shrewton
- Beatrice – St John’s School, Marlborough
- Elizabeth – Appleford School, Shrewton
- Grace – Appleford School, Shrewton
- James – St John’s School, Marlborough
- Seth – Appleford School, Shrewton
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