WINNERS of the Exmoor Young Chef 2022 competition have joined top professional chefs at high-profile foodie events and are now on course for a fine career in hospitality.

Perran Clark and Nathan Reardon, both aged 16, impressed the judges with their three-course menus prepared under strict competition rules at West Somerset College, Minehead, earlier this year.

Competition judge Max Lawrence, from Visit Exmoor, who has been in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years and often poses as a regular guest while secretly assessing restaurants and hotels for awards, said: “The standard of cooking and the way these young chefs showcased Exmoor produce was exceptional.

“I am sure all our winners will have a bright and rewarding career ahead of them.

“The tension and excitement of competition day has been captured beautifully in the new film, which we hope will inspire other young cooks.”

The competition was organised by Katrina Munro, of Exmoor National Park Authority, and chefs Werner Hartholt, from Butlins, and Mollie Foster, from Minehead Rotary Club, who were both on hand to assist the seven young finalists in the kitchen.

Werner said: “These talented young chefs have been welcomed into the world of professional chefs.

“Perran appeared on the chef’s stage at the North Devon Food Fest alongside pro chef Dez Turland, and Nathan appeared in a YouTube cooking video with chef Chin, from Porlock.

“But the highlight for me was to see them working alongside all the professional chefs at the recent media launch of the Exmoor Food Fest, at Knowle Manor.

“These opportunities are helping them to carve out a real name for themselves in the industry locally and I am very much looking forward to following them in their chosen career paths and for them not only to be recognised locally but also nationally in the future, helping us to put Exmoor on the map.”

Now, the young stars have been captured in a film released this week which aims to show other aspiring chefs how rewarding and creative a career can be in the hospitality industry on Exmoor.

Werner said: “With the abundance of quality local produce and passionate local chefs, the food scene on Exmoor is exciting and vibrant.”

Visit Exmoor is leading on a collaboration of industry experts across Exmoor, West Somerset, and the coast to create a centre of excellence for hospitality.

The Exmoor Young Chef film, which will be distributed to schools and colleges in the coming weeks, can be viewed at www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/business-hub/centre-of- excellence alongside details and the option to register interest in future Exmoor Young Chef competitions and careers opportunities.