NICOLA Youngs from Dymock has won the Home Cook of the Year crown in the 2015 South West Chef of the Year awards.
She was also judged winner of the Best Use of Regional Produce title.
Nicola had to battle it out with the three other finalists in her class at Ashburton Cookery School, in Devon, on October 10.
She was announced the class winner at an Awards Presentation Dinner hosted and sponsored by Exeter Golf and Country Club on Thursday.
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The only other Gloucestershire winner was David Kelman, Executive Head Chef, Ellenborough Park Hotel, Cheltenham, whose main course saddle and haslet of rabbit, autumn vegetables, puy lentils, artichoke and chervil root purée was voted
both Best Dish and Best Presentation.
Chief judge Michael Caines said: “As expected, the standard of entries was again exceptional. Competition was stiff but all entrants seemed to really enjoy and get lots out of it.
“Last night’s celebratory dinner and awards ceremony was a fitting tribute to the amount of effort, skill and creativity shown by all our chefs from each of the five competition categories.”
Now in its 12th year, South West Chef of the Year is sponsored by Bidvest Foodservice.