A YOUNG chef from a Tavistock hotel has cooked up success by winning the title of Young Professional South West Chef of the Year 2008 — and has not stopped smiling since. Jennifer Aston from Brown's Hotel competed in the Taste of the West battle on Saturday in the kitchens of Exeter College. The finalists had to create a two-course meal for two, comprising two compulsory, locally-sourced ingredients: 21-day dry-aged South Devon ribs of beef and a whole gurnard. Competitors then used other ingredients of their choice, sourced from the region, to complement them. The cook-off final was judged by a panel of chefs, including co-organiser Michelin chef Michael Caines of Abode Hotels and Gidleigh Park and Peter Gorton, of the Horn of Plenty Country House Hotel and Restaurant, Gulworthy. The Young Professional Class was for aspiring chefs aged between 16 and 22. Commis chef Jennie, who is from Horrabridge and is a former Tavistock College student, said the cook- off against the three 'guys' in her class had gone 'brilliantly'. 'I was really nervous in front of the judges and I was shocked when they said I had won.' She chose spring vegetables and other produce from local suppliers to supplement the beef and the gurnard, to prepare pan-fried fillet of gurnard, crisp Denhay ham, saffron and Exe mussel, parsley and leek casserole, followed by seared rib eye of South Devon beef, watercress purée, Anna potato and horseradish cream. 'The judges said the flavours and seasoning were "right on",' Jenny said. As a result of her hard work, Jennie will have the privilege of gaining work experience in the kitchens of the esteemed judges. She also won a cash prize, a set of crockery and a commemorative plate from sponsors Villeroy and Boch. 'I think it is a brilliant opportunity. I've only been working full time for six months. Hopefully this will inspire others to do competitions,' she said. Former Brown's chef John Hooker, who was the first chef Jennie had worked under, went with her to the competition. Her colleagues were all pleased and proud and said how much she had come on in the short time. New hotel chef Mark Lloyd said Jennie had 'worked really hard and deserved to win'. 'We couldn't improve on what she did. She did very well and is very talented. She hasn't stopped smiling since!' he said. Judge and chef James Tanner said: 'Jennifer's superb, balanced main course reflected her high skill level and impressive execution which, in the end, definitely won us over.' The winners from each of three categories will demonstrate their skills in the 3663 Cookery Theatre at the Exeter Festival of South West England Food and Drink 2008 this Saturday. Jennie will be reproducing one of her starters and said she was 'feeling really nervous' again.
