A STUDENT chef at a Dartmouth hotel has scooped a top award in a major competition.

Harrison Brockington won apprentice of the year in the South West Chef of the Year.

Harrison works at the Dart Marina Hotel and studies at Exeter College.

He beat off other finalists in the competition to receive his award at a ceremony held at Exeter Golf and Country Club last week.

He impressed judges with his starter of scallops, shellfish, cabbage and bacon followed by a main course of rabbit, hedgerow, celeriac and tarragon to take the title.

The evening was hosted by competition co-founder Michael Caines and his team of judges, each a top chef from the region, including Stephane Delourme of the Seafood Restaurant; consultant chef Peter Gorton; Matt Mason, of the Jack in the Green; Hywel Jones, of Lucknam Park; and Seth Ward of Bidvest Foodservice.

The competition was also judged by Paul Ainsworth, of Paul Ainsworth at Number 6; Neil Haydock, of the Watergate Bay Hotel; and Michael Wignall of Gidleigh Park, who spoke highly of the skill and dedication of the entrants.

The tense grand finals of the two professional classes and the student chef class took place during the day at Exeter College, with chefs battling it out for first place in their category as well as the coveted South West Chef of the Year 2016 award.

Entrants in the home cook and junior categories, whose finals had taken place earlier in the month, joined competitors for the awards presentation and dinner to find out if they had won an award in this year’s competition.

Despite the competition being in its 13th year, the quality of cooking demonstrated by the entrants continued to surprise judges with its complexity and technical skill.

Michael Caines said: ‘I have been delighted by the standard shown by the competitors. It’s not just about technical skill and the ability to put together mouth-watering flavours; we are also looking for innovation and flair together with the desire to really get behind locally sourced ingredients and give them the culinary treatment they deserve. I am passionate about our regional produce and have been really struck by the dedication our competitors have shown too.’

This year’s South West Chef of the Year was awarded to Jamie Coleman, head chef at the Saunton Sands Hotel.