A chef from a coastal brewpub in Cornwall will compete with peers from Michelin-starred restaurants and 5* hotels next month, having made it through to the final of South West Chef of the Year.
Tom Bennetts, head chef at The Driftwood Spars in St Agnes, is the only senior professional chef from Cornwall to make it this far; he’s up against Harrison Brockington of Gather in Totnes, Joe Cotton of Àclèaf at Boringdon Hall Hotel, and Andrew Jenkinson of Lucknam Park in Bath.
He said: “Getting through to the final four was such a proud moment for me. I’m up against some very tough opponents from well-respected kitchens, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
The finalists will go to Exeter College on October 25 to compete for the top spot; the winners will be announced at an awards presentation that same evening at Exeter Golf and Country Club.