South West Chef of the Year announces 2017 finalists

This year’s South West Chef of the Year competition continues to pick up the pace with the announcement of its 2017 finalists following closely-contested semi-finals on Saturday.

Now in its 14th year, South West Chef of the Year champions the very best of the region’s professional chefs and junior and home cooks as well as its exceptional produce for which the peninsular has gained a worldwide reputation.

Places in the competition are much coveted with chefs and culinary enthusiasts from 11 years up entering for their chance to cook for the panel of highly regarded regional chefs including Michael Caines MBE of luxury country house hotel Lympstone Manor.

Of the level of skill displayed during the competition, Michael said: “South West Chef of the Year is hotly contested and I and my fellow judges are always impressed with the skill and flair demonstrated by those who enter. The competition aims to be nurturing and supportive whilst challenging chefs to grow and learn from each round. I can’t wait for the finals and to taste what I know will be some fantastic food from the South West’s next generation of culinary talent.”

Michael is joined by other award winning chefs, Michael Wignall of Gidleigh Park winner of 5 AA Rosettes and  Chris and James Tanner of Barbican Kitchen and Kentish Hare to mention but a few. The competition is renowned for its aim to champion professional cooking as a rewarding and exciting career choice as well as the skill of home cooks in the region.

Finalists in the Professional, Young Professional and Student/Apprentice Chef categories will now go through to their grand final on Wednesday 25th October at Exeter College while Junior and Home Cooks will battle it out at Ashburton Cookery School on Saturday 14th October.

The competition culminates with a glittering awards presentation evening and a sumptuous dinner held at Exeter Golf and Country Club on Wednesday 25th October.

Tickets to this event are available to all. Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by three highly acclaimed and award winning chefs: Michael Caines MBE; Jamie Coleman, Head Chef at The Masons Arms, Knowstone who won South West Chef of the Year 2016 and James Mason, Head Chef at Kentisbury Grange and winner of South West Young Professional Chef of the Year 2015. The evening will start with a drinks reception with canapés followed by a three-course meal with wines for each course. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the winners of South West Chef of the Year 2017. Tickets can be purchased online at just £85 each.

This year’s finalists:

Professional Category Finalists
Sponsored by Ritter Courivaud

• Martin Blake, Senior Sous Chef, The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe, Wiltshire
• James Checkley, Sous Chef, Kentisbury Grange, Barnstaple, Devon
• Robert Cox, Head Chef, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel and Restaurant, Clearwell, Gloucestershire
• David Mann, Sous Chef, Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plympton, Devon

Young Professional Category Finalists
Sponsored by Lympstone Manor and Michael Caines MBE

• Claire Andrew, Commis Chef, Kentisbury Grange, Barnstaple, Devon
• Harrison Brockington, Chef de Partie, Grosvenor Hotel, Torquay, Devon
• Joshua Murphy, Demi Chef de Partie, Lucknam Park, Bath
• Paul Wearing, Senior Chef de Partie, Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plympton, Devon

Student/Apprentice Chef Category
Sponsored by Nisbets

• John Brimicombe, Exeter College and Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plympton, Devon
• Katie Endicott, Bridgwater and Taunton College, Somerset
• William Hamzij, Exeter College and Driftwood Hotel, Porscatho, Cornwall
• Ford Thanyapat Khwanyuen, Truro and Penwith College, Cornwall
• Eleanor Thuell, Exeter College and Rodean Restaurant, Kenton, Devon

Home Cook Category Finalists
Sponsored by Ashburton Cookery School

• Andrew Callaghan, Verwood, Dorset
• Lucinda Ellicott, Paignton, Devon
• Emy Mordue, Exeter, Devon (Devon Life Home Cook 2016)
• Kelly Shannon, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
• Sue Stoneman, Exmouth, Devon

Junior Chef Category Finalists

• Cornwall
Anna West, Penair School, Truro
Anna will be mentored by Stephane Delourme at The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow

• Devon
Samantha Taylor-Clarke, Stover School, Newton Abbot
Samantha will be mentored by Mark Dodson at The Masons Arms, Knowstone

• Dorset
Emily Henson, Bournemouth School for Girls
Emily will be mentored by Brett Sutton at The White Post, Rimpton

• Gloucestershire
Amber Clay, Alderman Knight School, Tewkesbury
Amber will be mentored by Gus Ashenford at Restaurant 5 North Street, Winchcombe

• Somerset
Munopa Nhete, Queen’s College, Taunton
Munopa will be mentored by Liam Finnegan at The Castle Hotel, Taunton

• Wiltshire
Vikki Pearcey Thorn, Lavington School, Market Lavington
Vikki will be mentored by Hywel Jones at Lucknam Park