Welsh chefs go head-to-head for National Chef of the Year final place

Two Welsh chefs are set to go head to head for a place at the final of National Chef of the Year.

National Chef of Wales contest winner Thomas Westerland and runner-up Matthew Ramsdale will be involved in a cook off for a place at the final, across four heats in June, with the winner taking a place in the final at the Restaurant Show on 2 October.

Westerland is head chef at Lucknam Park Hotel, Colerne, while Ramsdale is sous chef at The Chester Grosvenor, Chester.

Westerland reached last year’s final and will be hoping to go one better and add to the National Chef of Wales accolade which he won at the Welsh International Culinary Championships in February.

Gary Jones, chair of judges for National Chef of the Year, said: “When we set the brief we wanted the focus to be on two key things, showcasing our exceptional British produce and evolving chefs’ skills.

“The chefs have stepped up to the mark with creative and innovative ideas.”