We are delighted to announce the finalists for the 15th annual South West Chef of the Year competition.
After a very tense day of competition and a great deal of deliberation at Exeter College for the semi-finals of the Professional, Young Professional and Student/Apprentice Chef categories on Saturday 29th September, our judges finally selected their finalists for this year.
Competitors in all categories demonstrated outstanding skills, thoroughly impressing our judges. But a decision had to be made and we are pleased to outline below the names of our finalists for 2018. Many congratulations to all those who have made it through to our finals.
Thank you very much to all competitors who put so much work into their entries and helped to create such a thrilling competition and many thanks to our judges for today: Michael Caines MBE, Stephane Delourme, Richard Davies, Neil Haydock, Hywel Jones, Matt Mason, Michael Nizzero, Scott Paton, Seth Ward and John Wheeler.
Listed below you will find the names of the finalists in all five categories of the competition. The finals of the Home Cook and Junior categories will take place on Saturday 6th October and those of the Professional, Young Professional and Student/Apprentice Chef categories will take place on Wednesday 24th October.
Results and Awards
The final results of this year’s competition will be announced at our awards presentation evening on 24th October and we would be delighted to welcome you there for a fabulous dinner to be prepared by previous winners of the competition. Click here for more details.
Professional Chef category finalists:
Sponsored by Ritter Courivaud
Final to be held on Wednesday 24th October at Exeter College
- Fraser Bruce, Head Chef, Tate St Ives, Cornwall
- James Checkley, Sous Chef, Kentisbury Grange, Barnstaple, Devon
- Alex Greene, Sous Chef, Lucknam Park, Bath
- Tim Kendall, Sous Chef, The Idle Rocks, St Mawes, Cornwall
Young Professional Chef category finalists:
Sponsored by CaterPeople
Final to be held on Wednesday 24th October at Exeter College
- Josh Ambridge, Chef de Partie, Lords of the Manor, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire
- Martin Baylis, Junior Sous Chef, Kentisbury Grange, Barnstaple, Devon
- Gercelynn Mae Dionio, Demi Chef de Partie, Lucknam Park, Bath
- Joseph Oliver, Chef de Partie, Buckland Manor, Broadway, Gloucestershire
Student/Apprentice Chef category finalists:
Sponsored by Nisbets Catering Equipment
Final to be held on Wednesday 24th October at Exeter College
- Andrei Jurma, Truro and Penwith College and The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor
- Sophie Kennard, Exeter College and The Swan, Bampton
- Charlie Walters, Cornwall College, Saltash and The Greedy Goose, Plymouth
- Connor Wright, Truro and Penwith College
Home Cook category finalists:
Sponsored by Ashburton Cookery School
Final to be held on Saturday 6th October at Ashburton Cookery School
- Diana Bellinger, Sidmouth, Devon
- Oonagh Egerton, Salisbury, Wiltshire
- Lucinda Ellicott, Paignton, Devon
- Kelly Shannon, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
Junior Chef category finalists:
Sponsored by Lympstone Manor and Michael Caines MBE
Finals were held in each of the six counties of the South West during June and July and the winners in each county listed below, will now meet at the final. Each will benefit from mentoring from one of our county judges in preparation for the final.
Final to be held on Saturday 6th October at Ashburton Cookery School
- Jorgia – Callington Community College, Cornwall
Mentor judge: Stephane Delourme, The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow - Samantha – Stover School, Newton Abbot, Devon
Mentor judge: Mark Dodson, The Masons Arms, Knowstone - Katie – The Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset
Mentor judge: Pete Murt, Rick Stein, Sandbanks - Eva – Maidenhill School, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
Mentor judge: Gus Ashenford, Restaurant 5 North Street, Winchcombe - Conor – Whitstone School, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
Mentor judge: Liam Finnegan, The Castle Hotel, Taunton - Rhys – Wellington Academy, Tidworth
Mentor judge: Hywel Jones, Lucknam Park, Bath
Click here for further details of the county finals of the Junior Chef category
Good luck to all finalists!
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.
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