TOP South Hams chef and previous Masterchef: The Professionals contestant Jamie Rogers has cleaned up in a prestigious competition.

Jamie, who is head chef at the Langdon Court Hotel near Wembury, won no less than three categories in the South West Chef of the Year competition, including best chef overall – the top accolade.

Kingsbridge lad Jamie, who began his career in the kitchen of the Cricket Inn, Beesands aged 12, also took South West Professional Chef of the Year and best menu. He was judged by top names including two Michelin starred Michael Caines, Paul Ainsworth, Peter Gorton and Plymouth’s Tanner brothers, and received the awards at a ceremony in Exeter last week.

Jamie said: ‘I got to meet them all. It was quite daunting really – they came round as I was butchering my rabbit.’

Jamie described the prizewinning menu that helped him fight off competition from other top chefs in the region. He said: ‘My starter was scallops with caramelised cauliflower, Start Bay crab ragout, hazelnuts and golden raisins. For the main I did rabbit loin, the rack, and a little rabbit pie, with Jerusalem artichoke risotto, except it’s not actually risotto as there’s no rice, turnip puree and a rabbit cream.

‘I think it was my dessert that stole the show though – a date custard tart with autumn fruits and clotted cream.’

Speaking after the awards evening, Michael Caines said that the standard of entries to the competition had been ‘exceptional’. He said: ‘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.’

The awards night, held at Exeter Golf and Country Club began with a drinks reception and canapés, followed by a three course dinner prepared by previous South West Professional Chefs of the Year Dean Westcar, Tom Scade and Elly Wentworth.