Talented chefs from across the region will be battling it out for the prestigious title of South West Chef of the Year at the end of this month.
The finals of the competition, which was founded by acclaimed chef Michael Caines MBE DL, take place at Exeter College on Tuesday 27 October and conclude with a glittering awards dinner at Exeter Golf and Country Club that evening.
Hosted by Michael Caines, the evening will feature a four-course menu crafted by some of the region’s most celebrated chefs, all of whom are judges and/or previous winners of the South West Chef of the Year competition.
Together, they will showcase the very best of seasonal South West produce, supported by students from the Michael Caines Academy, who will help deliver a dining experience of exceptional quality.
Guests will enjoy a welcome drinks reception followed by a collaborative feast, prepared by:
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South West Junior Chef of the Yea, Hesali Galuge, Tim Kendall, from The Idle Rocks, Cornwall – South West Chef of the Year 2018, Young Professional Chef of the Year 2016 and competition judge.
- Harrison Brockington, from Gather, Totnes – South West Chef of the Year 2024, Student/Apprentice Chef of the Year 2016 and competition judge.
- Adam Gerrish, from The Apple Tree Inn, West Pennard, Glastonbury – South West Chef of the Year 2004.
- Hywel Jones, Executive Chef, Lucknam Park, Bath – competition judge.
- Michael Caines MBE DL – South West Chef of the Year head judge.
The evening concludes with the announcement of the winners of South West Chef of the Year 2026, across professional, young professional, student/apprentice, home cook and junior chef categories. Finalists hail from across the region, representing outstanding talent and the future of food in the South West.
Michael Caines MBE DL, co-founder of the South West Chef of the Year competition, said: “We have seen some fabulous cooking from our competitors to get to the finals of the competition. In fact, for the first time we have five finalists rather than four in two of our categories, as the standard was so high, the judges agreed it was impossible to choose just four.”
Find the full list of finalists on the South West Chef of the Year website.
The competition for the title of South West Junior Chef of the Year took place on October 10. Hesali Galuge, 15, from Penair Secondary School, Truro, beat five other young finalists to take the South West Junior Chef of the Year title and will be presented with her prize at the awards ceremony on 27 October.
For more information, or to book tickets for the awards ceremony, visit www.southwestchef.co.uk
Photo Credits: Steve Haywood
