South West Chef of the Year Competition 2013 now open for entries

Entries are now open for the 10^th South West Chef of the Year competition 2013, sponsored by 3663, an important annual event in the region’s food and drink calendar.

In honour of the 10^th Anniversary theSouth West Chef of the Year Competition is introducing a new class, The Junior Class which invites participants aged 11-16 to take part in the competition. This class will initially be held on a county basis with selected entrants being invited to a heat in their own county in September. The county heats will be judged by well-known chefs in each county and the final of this class will be judged by the main judging panel.

Michael Caines MBE, Sponsor and Head Judge said: “This competition highlights the outstanding talents of chefs and home cooks across the South West and their commitment to using the best ingredients that the region has to offer.  We are looking for someone who can demonstrate knowledge and skill in devising and preparing memorable dishes with real flair.”

The essence of the competition is for entrants to demonstrate skill and creativity, knowledge of produce from the South West of England, and understanding of seasonality.

This year the competition’s judging panel consists of a rare gathering of the finest chefs in the South West:

• Michael Caines MBE - GidleighPark and ABode Hotels


• Paul Ainsworth – Number 6 and Rojano’s in the Square, Padstow


• Peter Gorton - Gorton’s, Tavistock


• Chris Tanner - Tanners Restaurant and Barbican Brassiere


• James Tanner - Tanners Restaurant and Barbican Brasserie


• Ian Webber – ABodeExeter


• Simon Hulstone - The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay


• Matt Mason - The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare


• Neil Haydock - Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay


• Darrin Hosegrove -AshburtonCookerySchool


• Mark Hix – Hix Restaurant, Lyme Regis andLondon


• Hywel Jones –LucknamPark,Bath


• Nathan Outlaw – Restaurant Nathan Outlaw and Seafood  & Grill


• Rob Rees MBE – The Cotswold Chef

Visit www.southwestchef.co.uk for further details.

Follow the competition on Twitter @SWChefComp