South West Chef of the Year 2012 competition (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

South West Chef of the Year 2012 competition

9:00am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News

Top chefs from across the region served up a treat scooping top spot in the South West Chef of the Year 2012 competition.

On Monday, the winners were announced at an awards ceremony held at the ABode Hotel in Exeter.

Michael Tweedie, junior sous chef from Lucknam Park, in Chippenham, won the professional class, and Elly Wentworth, demi chef de partie of the Manor Hotel, in Castle Combe, tasted glory in the young professional class.

Both beat other hopefuls in a series of culinary events which took place over two months.

Miss Wentworth, 20, who has worked at the Manor Hotel for five months, said: “It is a really great honour and I’m so pleased to have done so well as the standard of the competition was very high.

“This is a great bit of recognition and I’m keen to take part in other competitions next year.”

As well as winning the professional class Mr Tweedie also won the most creative menu honour.

Hywel Jones, executive chef at Lucknam Park, said: “Everyone is delighted for Mike, he has worked tremendously hard during his time here.

“He has been with me for over two years now and been promoted during that time because of all his hard work.”

The judging panel for the South West Chef of the Year competition consisted of 10 chefs from across the region who assessed the quality of the dishes the entrants prepared.

Head judge Michael Caines, a regular on the Celebrity Masterchef TV competition, said: “The quality of this year’s competition was the highest we have seen in the nine years since it began. The finals were extremely closely contested by some incredibly skilful chefs.

“This competition identifies some of the most talented chefs in the south west and highlights the quality of the region’s hospitality industry.”