Idle Rocks, St Mawes Sous Chef, Tim Kendall has cooked up a storm at the South West Chef of the year’s 15th Anniversary competition, bringing home three awards.
This annual competition allows its competitors to implement their skills, knowledge and creativity whilst using the best seasonal produce from the South West.
The former Cornwall College St Austell student walked away with the South West Professional Chef of the Year, South West Chef of the Year 2018 (overall) and Best Presentation.
South West Chef of the Year is open to culinary enthusiasts and contains five classes; Professional, Young Professional, Student Chef, Home Cook and Junior. The competition demonstrates the talent and quality the region has to offer and the judges this year included chefs such as Michael Caines MBE, Nathan Outlaw and Paul Ainsworth.
In 2016 Tim was in the Young Professional category and won that title – he is the first chef in the history of this competition to win in both the Professional and the Young Chef Categories.
“I thought I’d give it another go and I’m really pleased with my achievement as it was a hard competition with a limited amount of ingredients to work with, which certainly kept me on my toes,” Tim said.
At only 26, Tim has already achieved a great deal in catering and believes his love of cooking came from his time in Mrs Lloyds catering class at Roseland Academy.
Tim gave some advice for those thinking about becoming a Chef.
“Find a mentor, it takes a long time to get the skills – it doesn’t happen overnight but if you are passionate about what you do and put the work in you will reap the rewards,” he explained.
“It is hard work but if you enjoy what you do it can be a lot of fun.”
Team Lead for Catering & Hospitably at St Austell Campus, Steve Rudd, said how “proud” and what a pleasure it is to see a former student excelling in his craft.
“Tim is one of those students who you know just ‘has it’,” he explained.
“He was always driven and focussed and it’s no surprise to see him winning South West Chef of the Year. Tim loves to give back and has come back to demo for us to our current students.”
For more information on the range of Catering & Hospitality courses available across The Cornwall College Group visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0330 123 2523.
