The 2017 staging of the prestigious South West Chef of the Year competition has been launched. 

The contest is the only one in the UK to find the best regional talent from not one but five categories including professional and young professional chefs, students and apprentices, junior cooks under 16 years and home cooks. 

Lead judge, Michael Caines, of Lympstone Manor, who has championed the competition since 2004, said: ‘South West Chef of the Year has always aimed to not only provide a spring board for the region’s emerging chefs but also to inspire home cooks of all ages and to help young people to make cooking a career choice.’ 

Four of the five categories are now taking online applications until July31 at www.southwestchef.co.uk

Semi-finals and finals taKe place in September and October.