Great Cornish hospitality competition will find the crème de la crème

The hunt is on for the cream of Cornwall’s culinary crop as the ‘Great Cornish Hospitality Competition’ is officially launched.

The new annual competition has been created by the Ofsted Outstanding Truro and Penwith College with the backing of some of the biggest names in Cornish hospitality.

Applications are due to open for the inaugural competition in October 2020 with the Rick Stein Group, Paul Ainsworth Group, Eden Project, St Austell Brewery, Headland Hotel and Watergate Bay just some of the organisations to have come out in support.

The new competition will recognise exceptional hospitality talent amongst secondary school pupils, 16-18-year-old learners, Apprentices and those who have recently started their career in Cornwall’s hospitality industry.

The organisations have come together to create the Competition after only two competitors, Andrei Jurma and George Schmidt, represented Cornwall at the prestigious South West Chef of the Year competition in 2019.

Tom Moran, Business Development Manager at Truro and Penwith College commented: “Cornwall is a fast-growing destination for food and hospitality in the UK. There is a huge amount of fresh talent within our schools, colleges and the hospitality industry. The Competition will not only become Cornwall’s platform to give these talented people the recognition they deserve, but also a vehicle to share success stories, that will raise the aspirations of young people and encourage them to consider careers in the hospitality sector, a cornerstone of the Cornish economy”.

At launch the Competition will include four categories; School Chef of the Year, FE / Apprentice Chef of the Year, FE / Apprentice Front of House Professional of the Year and Professional Chef of the Year.

The competition will consist of three stages, each hosted by one of the collaborating organisations. Eight successful applicants from each category will be invited to compete in stage one, with five progressing onto stage two, where judges will identify the top three competitors in each category who will go head to head in the Great Cornish Hospitality Final.

The four winners who come out on top will go on to represent Cornwall in their respective categories at South West Chef of the Year 2021.

Showcasing everything the Cornish hospitality industry has to offer is a driving force behind the competition that will require all applicants to be Cornish residents, with the equipment and ingredients needed for their culinary creations restricted to either Cornish produce or Cornwall-based suppliers.

A raft of suppliers have already offered their support including; Philip Warren Butchers, Matthew Stevens Fish and Seafood Specialists, WestCountry, SLS Catering Supplies, LWC Drinks Ltd and Origin Coffee.

Roger Rossignol, Sales and Marketing Director at WestCountry commented: “WestCountry are delighted to support this fantastic initiative to help inspire and motivate the current and future generations of chefs and hospitality professionals in the County.  It is great that the Competition will bring together leading Cornish businesses across the industry, highlighting the great opportunities that exist in hospitality in Cornwall.  This Competition will bring together businesses, colleges and schools to the benefit of everyone involved in Cornish Catering.”

Martin Tucker, Director of Operations at Truro and Penwith College said: “Truro and Penwith College is delighted to announce the first Great Cornish Hospitality Competition.  As a leading Cornish provider of hospitality skills and training with an increasing portfolio of partners and suppliers, we are working collectively to inspire young people in Cornwall and demonstrate the amazing opportunities available across the sector”.

Tamsyn Hawkins, People Director at St Austell Brewery commented: “We are very excited and proud to be partners in the creation of the of the Great Cornish Hospitality Competition. We see Cornwall operating on the world stage when it comes to hospitality and this Competition will provide a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life to share their enthusiasm for the industry and showcase the great talent we have right here in Cornwall”.

Truro and Penwith College is due to release more information ahead of applications opening in October 2020 and interested parties are advised to follow the College on social media for the latest updates.