A Porthleven chef has made it through to the final of a BBC television competition on the fourth time of trying - and dedicated his win to his late wife. 

Jude Kereama, owner of Kota restaurant and its sister establishment Kota Kai in Porthleven, has made it to the finals of the BBC Two programme, The Great British Menu after appearing on the show for the fourth time.

After being told he had made it through, Jude dedicated his achievement to his late wife Jane, who died of cancer in 2019. 

Jude said: "That’s a real, real shock. I am speechless. This is my fourth time in the competition. 

"I am still in shock; absolutely thrilled. Just brilliant.

"I want to scream to the world right now. It’s unbelievable. 

"This hasn’t been an easy year or so. There’s one person I want to do it for – and she’d be so proud."

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The Great British Menu first appeared on our screens back in 2006 and has seen 16 seasons aired across 15 years.

The format of the show follows chefs from eight different regions across the UK who compete for a place in the finals where they would put together a menu to be served at a banquet for prestigious guests and guest chefs.

The areas contestants come from include Scotland, the south west, the north west, Wales, central England, London and the south east, and the north east, as well as Northern Ireland.

This year's theme is British innovation and contestants are expected to showcase technological advances in the kitchen as well as modern takes on cooking such as molecular gastronomy and the use of gadgets and other food tech. 

When talking to The Packet about the competition on previous occasions, Jude said: "You know the ropes, but you just don't know how the pressure is going to get to you.

"You're up against some phenomenal chefs."

Jude, who is originally from New Zealand and has lived in the UK for 24 years, started his career training under esteemed chef and fellow countryman, Simon Gault, before working at a number of top London restaurants.

His last position included working with celebrity chef, Anthony Worral Thompson, during which he would meet his wife Jane with whom he would move to Cornwall.

Jude's Kota menu is inspired by his New Zealand, Malaysian and Chinese heritage mixed with fresh Cornish produce and the word 'Kota' is in fact Maori for 'shellfish' with 'Kai' meaning 'food.'