Chef at Peterville Inn Cornwall is Student Chef of the Year

Toby Pyne, 17, from Truro & Penwith College, was awarded the Student / Apprentice Chef of the Year award.

He also won the award for the best showcase of regional ingredients.

When not in college, Toby works at the Peterville Inn in St Agnes, which was named both Best Food Pub in England and Pub of the Year earlier this year. 

(Image: South West Chef of the Year) Mr Pyne beat three other young chefs from across the region.

He cooked a starter of steamed lemon sole with sole mousse, beurre blanc sauce, pickled mussels, and Parisienne vegetables.

His main course was chicken supreme with braised leek, steamed corn, glazed carrot, pomme dauphine, and chicken jus.

His main course (Image: South West Chef of the Year) The South West Chef of the Year competition, co-founded by renowned chef Michael Caines MBE DL, is regarded as one of the UK's leading culinary contests.

It provides a platform for young chefs to build their profiles and promotes high hospitality standards in the west country.

The final took place this week, with winners announced at an awards ceremony at Exeter Golf and Country Club.

Mr Caines said: "Congratulations to all of the winners in the competition.

"We have seen some amazing dishes created by some truly talented chefs, all made with outstanding local ingredients that highlight the skill of our participants and the quality of produce here in the west country.

"We’re very grateful to all of our sponsors and suppliers who continue to support our competition.

"Their commitment enables us to stage this annually and contribute to the nurturing of the next generation of west country chefs."

He added: "This competition was set up 20 years ago as we were coming out of the foot and mouth crisis, which decimated so much of the farming and hospitality industry.

"We’ve weathered some storms since then, whether economic or, of course, the covid pandemic, and I’m sure there will be more to come, but we’re proud to still be here, promoting and supporting our industry and the wonderful south west region and its abundant food larder."

The awards were presented at a presentation evening at Exeter Golf and Country Club, where previous winners and competition judges – four of whom were Michelin star chefs – prepared a meal.