Diana in final four for Home Cook category of South West Chef of the Year

A Sidmouth woman is among the finalists of the South West Chef of the Year awards, in the ‘home cooking’ category.

Diana Bellinger automatically qualified to be in the final four after winning Devon Life magazine’s Home Cook of the Year.

She will now take part in a final at the Ashburton Cookery School on Saturday, October 6, where she will have to cook a three-course meal she has devised using ingredients specified by the judges.

Diana, who is married and works part-time for an investment platform, said she had been encouraged to cook from a young age by her mother, who passed on her own skills.

“I have always enjoyed entertaining and love cooking for our friends and family,” she said.

“I collect cookery books and have many covering cuisine from all over the world. I love trying new recipes and often adapt them to suit whatever ingredients I have to hand, or enhance them with my own ideas.”