Looking for the next challenge in your culinary career? The South West Chef of the Year Competition could be for you.
This is a professional competition that allows you to demonstrate your skills in front of a prestigious panel of judges and gain publicity and recognition for doing so. The competition aims to benefit both the careers of those who take part, and the South West Produce industry. Taking part in this competition will look great on your CV too.
The competition consists of 5 Classes: Professional, Young Professional, Student Chef, Home Cook, and Junior – so there is something for everyone.
Professional and Young Professional Classes
Entry requirements:
Professional – any age and working as a sous chef/pastry chef or above
Young Professional – Aged 19-24, working in any role in the kitchen up to and including junior sous chef
For the Professional and Young Professional Classes, entrants will be asked to submit a 2 course menu using seasonal South West produce. There will be compulsory ingredients specified by the judges which must be incorporated into the submitted menus.
If selected, entrants will attend the semi-finals on Saturday 30th September at Exeter College. Here, they will have 2 and a half hours to create their submitted menus. A number of finalists will be selected for the final on Wednesday 25th October, where they will be asked to prepare a 3 course meal using compulsory ingredients that will be announced a week before the final, and a box of mystery ingredients that will be provided on the day.
Student Class:
Entry requirements:
Aged 16-19 and at college or in an apprenticeship
For this class, entry is through South West catering colleges – one student can be put forward per college. There are some spaces available, however, for those who wish to enter individually.
Like the two professional classes, entrants for the Student Class must submit a seasonal 2 course menu using the compulsory ingredients specified by the judges. Selected entrants will attend the semi-final at Exeter College on Saturday 30th September, and will have 1 and a half hours to prepare their submitted menus. Following this, a number of selected competitors will be offered a place in the final on Wednesday 25th October, where they will have to prepare a 2 course meal using further specified compulsory ingredients.
Information for the Home Cook and Junior Classes can be found on the South West Chef Website.
Following the finals on Wednesday 25th October, there will be an awards presentation dinner at Exeter Gold and Country Club.
Entry Dates:
Junior Class entries close on Friday 5th May
All other Class entries close on Monday 31st July
Further Information and Rules for Competitors can be found on the South West Chef Website.
