A chef from the acclaimed Gidleigh Park in Devon has been crowned South West Chef of the Year 2026, the region’s most prestigious culinary title.
Jacob Ashburton-Dunning, 22, claimed the overall title at a glittering awards ceremony at Exeter Golf and Country Club on Tuesday 27 October, following a day of intense competition at Exeter College.
Jacob’s winning three-course menu featured a starter of lobster, squash purée, bisque sabayon and crispy kale; a main of venison with blackberry and spiced potato fondant; and a dessert of doughnut with honey roast pear and spiced mascarpone cream. He also took the award for Young Professional Chef of the Year and Best Menu, making him the standout performer of the evening.
Michael Caines MBE DL, co-founder of the South West Chef of the Year competition, said: “Congratulations to Jacob on this achievement. His menu showcased regional and seasonal ingredients and every element worked well together. To achieve this title at such a young age is particularly impressive and demonstrates real talent, creativity and maturity in his cooking. He’s a chef with a really bright future ahead of him, and we’re excited to see how his career develops.
“All of our chefs cooked to the very highest standards. This is the only chef competition which caters for the very youngest chefs, through our juniors category, home cooks and professionals. From the standard of cooking displayed, it’s very clear that the future of the industry is in safe hands.”
Jacob Ashburton-Dunning said: “I am honoured to receive this award amongst so many talented chefs. Whilst the competition was challenging, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have learned so much from the experience. Thank you to all the sponsors, judges, and staff, for making the experience and thank you for all the people who pushed and supported me through this competition.”
Now in its 22nd year, the competition was founded in 2004 by Michael Caines and Julie Harvey to champion professional excellence, nurture rising stars and celebrate the world-class food and drink produced across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
The judging panel was led by Michael Caines and included some of the South West’s most celebrated chefs including Paul Ainsworth, Matt Mason, Hywel Jones, Nathan Outlaw, Chris Cleghorn and Ian Webber.
Find the full list of category winners HERE.
The awards evening also featured a four-course dinner prepared by some of the South West’s most acclaimed chefs, all of them judges and/or former winners of the competition.
Entries for South West Chef of the Year 2027 open in spring next year. For more information, visit www.southwestchef.co.uk
(Photography credit: Steve Hayward Photography).
