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 Truro and Penwith College with the backing of some of the biggest names in Cornish hospitality.

These include Rick Stein Group, Paul Ainsworth Group, Eden Project, St Austell Brewery, Headland Hotel and Watergate Bay.

It 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.

Tom Moran, business development manager at Truro and Penwith College said: “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.”

All applicants must 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.

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.