Castle Combe’s Manor House Hotel has three of its staff in the final of the South West Chef of the Year competition.

Dean Westcar, who has been a junior sous-chef for over a year, impressed judges in the Professionals category at the semi-finals on October 11. The 25-year-old from Chippenham prepared a Cornish mackerel starter followed by slow-cooked lamb neck fillet with apricot cous-cous and roasted cauliflower.

Competing against each other in the Young Professionals category will be his workmates, Elly Wentworth, chef de partie and 2012 winner, and Alex Brownrigg, demi chef de partie. Miss Wentworth, 22, from Chippenham, and Mr Brownrigg, 19, from Melksham, will also be in the final on Monday at Exeter College.