SEVEN finalists of the Exmoor Young Chef Competition 2023 have been announced, whose ages range from 12 to 16 years.

Twelve-year-old Sapphire Haddon, who lives in Minehead and attends the town’s middle school, is the youngest of the competitors.

The other finalists include Amy Wickens, who lives in Williton, and Leon Beynon-Pearce, from Dunster, who both attend the West Somerset Community College, Minehead, Katrina Nightingale, who lives in Wiveliscombe and studies in the town’s Kingsmead School, Romesh Molligoda and Fred Percival, who both live in North Devon and attend Braunton Academy, and Oliver Parsons, of Yeovil, who goes to the Westfield Academy.

The youngsters are each being partnered by some of the area’s top chefs as mentors to help them prepare for the event and craft a three-course meal for two people, showcasing at least two ingredients of seasonal and local Exmoor provenance.

The competition is organised by Visit Exmoor and supported by Exmoor National Park Authority, Rotary Club Minehead, Brend Hotels, Petroc College, and Bridgwater and Taunton College.

The finals will take place in the West Somerset College, Minehead, on October 7.

Visit Exmoor chief executive Emma Thomasson said: “It is so exciting to see the Exmoor Young Chef Competition kicking off for a second year.

“We have amazing professional chefs across Exmoor who come together with us and other area partners for this brilliant event.

“We are passionate about motivating young people to consider rewarding careers locally in hospitality and this event showcases talent and highlights all the opportunities to work in hospitality across the area.”

The winner and finalists will be allocated a series of prizes, including a day with the English National Culinary Team, work experience in the Michelin starred Masons Arms, a video cookery masterclass, and a cookery demonstration at Barnstaple Food Fair, among others.

The competition is part of a larger project to develop a Centre of Excellence for Hospitality in the area, celebrating the Exmoor food scene and encouraging young people to consider careers in the dynamic and exciting industry.

This initiative is supported by Master Chef judge and food critic William Sitwell, who lives near Wiveliscombe.

Chef Mollie Foster, of Minehead Rotary, said: “I am very impressed with the enthusiasm of these young cooks creating their dishes and showing off their culinary passion at such a young age.

“I am also excited to see what these talented chefs of the future prepare and present on the day, particularly with the focus on locally sourced ingredients which is an integral part of the competition.”