Apprentice chef Keishe Simmons has been named the Rising Chef of the Year after beating out three other competitors.

The 19-year-old, who works at the Fairmont Southampton, was not only the youngest competitor, but also the only female in the competition.

Grotto Bay chef Rakesh Nukoo won second place, while Fairmont Southampton chef Trevor Kliaman won the Lindo’s Audience Favourite award. Ryan Lampano of Cambridge Beaches rounded out the group.

The second annual Rising Chef competition, organised by the Bermuda Hospitality Institute, began last Monday at International Imports, with the four finalists earning their places by winning their respective semi-finals.

On Friday, the three chefs were given 25 minutes to create a dish using flank steak, Bermuda bananas and local arugula in front of a packed house.

They were then judged by the president of the Chefs Association of Bermuda Frank Suess, Chamber of Commerce executive director Joanne McPhee and Glenn Jones of Media House.

Karla Lacey, BHI CEO said the judges were wowed by the talent, skills and passion of the competitors, describing Friday as an evening of great cooking.

The event also raised $15,000 for BHI programmes, thanks to the sponsorship of Goslings Brothers, Butterfield and Vallis, Lindo’s Family Foods and International Imports.