South West Chef of the Year 2013 underway
The tenth edition of the South West Chef of the Year got underway at Exeter College on Saturday with the semi finals of the professional and young professional classes.
Competitors had to produce a two course meal using lamb supplied by Andrew James Butchery and hake from Kingfisher Brixham, as well as using as much regional produce as they could.
The judging panel of Michael Caines MBE, Simon Hulstone, Chris Tanner, Paul Ainsworth, Darrin Hosegrove, Matt Mason and Rob Rees MBE had such a tough job trying to choose three chefs from the 16-22 category that they decided to give four the chance to fight for the title on 28 October.
Young Professional class finalists (aged 16-22):
- Nathan Cornwell – Chef de Partie, Lucknam Park, Bath
- Jonah Kellar – The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay
- Harriet Pecover – Head Pastry Chef, The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare
- Camilla Waite – Chef de Partie, Paul Ainsworth at Number 6, Padstow
Professional class finalists (aged 23+):
- Sam Burfield – Sous Chef, The Castle Hotel, Taunton
- Andrew Chan – Sous Chef, Thornbury Castle, Thornbury, Bristol
- Maciek Kijewski – Head Chef, Beales Gourmet Catering
As well as the professionals, amateur cooks will also get their chance to show off their skills this Saturday in the South West’s Best Dish competition at Ashburton Cookery School. For the first time a junior category has been opened to those aged between 11 and 16 with the finalists already decided after regional heats.
Junior class finalists:
- Jamie Swan – The Roseland Community College, Truro, Cornwall
- Maia English – The Kings School, Ottery St Mary, Devon
- Frank Rooke-Matthews – Cheltenham Bournside School, Gloucestershire
- Ellie Kamei – Lavington School, Market Lavington, Wiltshire
South West’s Best Dish class finalists:
- Steve Ashworth, Taunton
- Gillian Evans, Tiverton
- Oonagh Egerton, Salisbury
- Beverley Milner Simonds, Burnham on Sea
As well as the finals on 28 October, there will be an anniversary dinner prepared by guest chefs who are all previous winners of this competition: John Walton, head chef at Paul Ainsworth at Number 6, Padstow, Tom Scade, head chef at Tides Restaurant, Rock and Matt Downing, sous chef at Magdalen Chapter, Exeter.
Tickets are available for £75 each and can be bought by calling Taste of West on 01404 822012.
{{user.name}}