Chef Joe Fallowfield from The Square in Porthleven been named a finalist in the prestigious Kikkoman Masters 2015 professional chef competition.

Joe was selected from a host of other chefs as one of the lucky eight who will go on to compete for the coveted title, Kikkoman Masters Winner 2015, and win a seven day working trip to Japan. Using Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce, Joe was tasked with creating a starter and a main course.

His recipes were the Cornish sea bass wild mushroom risotto, Kikkoman soy and porcini tea followed by charred venison, soy and shoulder faggot, red cabbage, celeriac with soy braising jus.

Joe needed to impress a judging panel consisting of celebrated names in the catering industry including Michelin star restaurateur, Simon Hulstone, from The Elephant in Torquay; celebrity chef Brian Turner; Scott Hallsworth, who runs Kurobuta and Joe’s Oriental Diner in London; and Stefan Chomka, editor of Restaurant Magazine.

Also on the judging panel was Kikkoman UK manager, Bing-yu Lee, who said: “The standard of entries we received was extremely high and testament to the extraordinary level of talent working in our catering outlets up and down the country. We were amazed with the creative ways chefs used our soy sauce, serving up inspirational dishes. We had a hard task choosing our eight finalists.”

Joe, who is sous chef, said: “I am delighted to be cooking in the Kikkoman Masters Final in October. I am a huge fan of the product and have always wanted to visit Japan."

The Kikkoman Masters final will take place at The Restaurant Show, Olympia on October 5.