South West Chef of the Year Awards Dinner returns

Food lovers will have the chance to experience one of the region’s most prestigious dining events when the South West Chef of the Year Awards Dinner returns to Exeter this October.

The awards evening will take place on Tuesday 28 October at Exeter Golf and Country Club, hosted by acclaimed chef Michael Caines MBE DL, who co-founded the competition more than 20 years ago.

Guests will enjoy a four-course menu with paired wines, crafted by some of the region’s most celebrated chefs – all of whom are either previous winners or current judges of the contest. Students from the Michael Caines Academy will support the chefs on the night.

The collaborative line-up includes:

• Harrison Brockington, Head Chef, Gather, Totnes – South West Chef of the Year 2024

• Tim Kendall, Chef Patron, The Rising Sun, Altarnun – South West Chef of the Year 2018

• Elly Wentworth, Executive Chef, Fowlescombe Farm and The Millbrook Inn – South West Chef of the Year 2007

• Matt Mason, Executive Chef, The View Restaurant, Exeter – South West Chef of the Year 2014

Winners of the South West Chef of the Year 2025 will also be revealed on the night, across five categories: professional, young professional, student/apprentice, home cook and junior chef.

Michael Caines said: “This is a rare opportunity to taste dishes from some of the most exciting chefs in the country, all working together in one kitchen. It’s a true celebration of South West food and talent – both established and emerging.”

This year’s finalists represent outstanding talent from across the South West.

Professional Chef finalists: Lewis Brown (Narla by Charlie Walters, Fowey), Niall Godsmark (Lucknam Park, Bath), Ben Kittow (Catch at The Old Fish Market, Weymouth), James Nightingale (The Fox and Hounds, Eggesford).

Young Professional Chef finalists: Charlie Cutting (The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe), Harry Ford (The Walled Garden, Bath), Ben Greenhalf (Gather, Totnes), Jack Smith (The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath).

Student/Apprentice Chef finalists: Harry Earle (Bath College/Lucknam Park), Oscar Holgate (Exeter College/Glebe House), Oscar Mysiak (Combe Dean/Àclèaf), William Skidmore (Penwith College/Porthminster Beach Café), Rhianna Smith (Cornwall College, St Austell).

Home Cook finalists: Tareq Assaf (Bath), Dave Morgan (Bristol), Louise Needham (Plympton), Karen Walker (Paignton).

Junior Chef finalists: Eleanor (Budehaven Community School, Cornwall), Jessica (Torquay Girls’ Grammar School, Devon), Harry (Lytchett Minster School, Dorset), Posie (Katharine Lady Berkely School, Gloucestershire), Kai (Merchants Academy, Somerset), Vita (Sheldon School, Wiltshire).

Tickets are limited and priced at £150 per person (£120 for competitors’ guests/sponsors).

To book, visit www.southwestchef.co.uk/awards-evening, call 07970 518756 or email info@southwestchef.co.uk