The results of South West Chef of the Year 2013, sponsored by 3663, were announced at a presentation dinner celebrating the 10th anniversary of the competition, held immediately following the finals of the Professional and Young Professional classes on Monday 28th October.
Many congratulations to Nathan Cornwell fromLucknamPark,Bath, (pictured) who was awarded the prestigious title of overall South West Chef of the Year!
This followed his success in the Young Professional class, sponsored by Exeter College and Paramount Personnel, when his two dishes of roast loin of venison, squash purée, Savoy greens, red wine shallots, blackberries and girolles, followed by milk chocolate panna cotta, poached pears, chocolate powder and caramelised walnuts saw him take the title in an extremely close Young Professional class in which the standard of cooking from all finalists was exceptional!
The Professional class, sponsored by Ritter Courivaud, also saw some wonderful dishes presented to the judges in another closely fought contest, with the title being awarded to Andrew Chan fromThornburyCastle,Bristol. Andrew prepared pan-fried Sea Bass, sautée girolles, roasted celeriac and vanilla velouté, followed by dark chocolate millefeuille, raspberries, hazelnuts and honeycomb.
Finalists in both professional classes were asked to prepare a main course and dessert for two using the ingredients of a mystery box presented to them just 30 minutes before the competition!
Young Professional class finalists:
Sponsored by Exeter College and Paramount Personnel
(in alphabetical order)
Nathan Cornwell – Chef de Partie,LucknamPark,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:
Sponsored by Ritter Courivaud and Ritter Fresh
(in alphabetical order)
Sam Burfield – Sous Chef, The Castle Hotel,Taunton
Andrew Chan – Sous Chef,ThornburyCastle, Thornbury,Bristol
Maciek Kijewski – Head Chef, Beales Gourmet Catering
South West’s Best Dish class
Sponsored by Ashburton Cookery School
The South West’s Best Dish class, sponsored by AshburtonCookerySchool, saw four home cooks prepare their favourite dishes for the judges at the School on Saturday 19th October. The winner, announced at the presentation dinner was Steve Ashworth fromTaunton,Somerset. Steve made a delicious chicken and potato pie with cider braised carrots, kale and beetroot two ways.
The four finalists in this class were:
Steve Ashworth,Taunton,Somerset
Gillian Evans, Tiverton,Devon
Oonagh Egerton,Salisbury, Wiltshire
Beverley Milner-Simonds, Burnham-on-Sea,Somerset
South West Junior Chef of the Year
The South West Junior Chef of the Year final was also held at AshburtonCookerySchoolon Saturday 19th October. Four budding young chefs (aged under 16) prepared some amazing dishes that truly impressed our judges who commented that the standard of cooking was unbelievable! The winner, was Maia English from The King’s School, Ottery St Mary,Devon. Maia prepared caramelized Brixham scallops with celeriac purée and crispy pancetta.
The four finalists in this class were:
Maia English, The King’s School, Ottery St Mary,Devon
Ellie Kamei,LavingtonSchool, Lavington, Wiltshire
Frank Rooke-Matthews,CheltenhamBournsideSchool, Gloucestershire
Jamie Swan,RoselandCommunity College,Truro,Cornwall
Four further awards were presented on the night:
Best Use of Regional Produce
Sponsored by WBW Solicitors
awarded to Beverley Milner Simonds, Burnham-on-Sea,Somerset
Best Menu
Sponsored by Tesco
awarded to Nathan Cornwell,LucknamPark,Bath
for the menu he devised for the final
Best Presentation
Sponsored by In-toto Kitchens Exeter
awarded to Harriet Pecover, Jack in the Green, Rockbeare
Best Dish
Sponsored by Food Magazine and Food Trade
awarded to Camilla Waite, Paul Ainsworth at Number 6, Padstow
for the dessert she prepared at the final of chocolate moelleux, hazelnut crumble and orange
More information and pictures can be found at www.southwestchef.co.uk
