TWO chefs from Cornwall have been recognised at the South West Chef of the Year 2026 contest, the region’s most prestigious culinary title.

Hesali Galuge, 15, from Penair School in Truro, was named South West Junior Chef of the Year. Mentored by Pete Murt from Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, she wowed the judges with a dish of spiced chicken supreme, avocado and coriander purée.

The judges said: "Hesali demonstrated exceptional skills, achieving the perfect balance of flavours that really shone through in a beautifully presented dish."

Young chef Hesali Galuge in action
Young chef Hesali Galuge in action (Steve Hayward photography)

Harrison Holmes, of the Reef Knot Restaurant at the Idle Rocks Hotel in St Mawes, won the Best Dish award for his starter of barbecue octopus - one of the compulsory protein ingredients – served with cauliflower, golden raisin and brown butter dressing. Judges made “a unanimous decision that this was the most exceptional dish of the competition,” adding: “The presentation was stunning, the flavour combinations superb.

Chef Harrison Holmes preparing his dish
Chef Harrison Holmes preparing his dish (Steve Hayward Photography)

Awards were presented at Exeter Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, October 27, following a day of intense competition at Exeter College. The evening featured a four-course dinner prepared by some of the South West’s most acclaimed chefs, all judges and/or former competition winners.

This year’s judging panel was led by Michael Caines MBE, who co-founded the competition in 2004 to champion professional excellence, nurture rising stars and celebrate the world-class food and drink produced across the six counties of the South West. He was joined on the panel by celebrated chefs including Cornwall’s Michelin stars Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw.

“This is the only chef competition which caters for the very youngest chefs, through our juniors category, as well as home cooks and professionals,” said Mr Caines. “All cooked to the very highest standards; it’s very clear that the future of the industry is in safe hands.”

Entries for South West Chef of the Year 2027 open in spring next year. For more information, visit www.southwestchef.co.uk