Glastonbury chef Ayesha Kalaji has been named Best Trencherman's Chef at the region's leading hospitality awards, beating a shortlist of big-name contenders from across the South West.

The ceremony, which took place at Homewood near Bath on 24 March, brought together hospitality professionals from across the South West to celebrate the region's restaurants and chefs.

Ayesha, who opened Queen of Cups in Glastonbury in 2021, was shortlisted alongside a number of high-profile chefs including Paul Ainsworth (No6, Padstow), Isabel Joscelyne (Prawn on the Lawn, Padstow), Merlin Labron-Johnson (OSIP, Bruton), and Tommy Thorn (Puro, Clevedon).

Reacting to her win, Ayesha said: "Oh my goodness! I'm totally thrilled, giddy and utterly shocked. It was honour enough to be shortlisted alongside such incredible chefs representing such a special part of the country, but to have actually won the award feels absolutely amazing. Thank you to everyone who voted for me, I can't wait to bring this award back to the restaurant and share it with my fantastic team. I am actually lost for words which is very rare for me!"

As well as picking up the award, Ayesha also prepared dessert for the event, serving a dish of dark chocolate and Persian lime cremeux with lime and arak sorbet, finger limes, hazelnut tuile, and praline feuilletine.

Queen of Cups occupies a former coaching inn in the town centre and serves dishes inspired by Ayesha's Jordanian heritage, created using locally sourced ingredients. She describes her food as "not authentically Middle Eastern – they are my own interpretation; it is food seen through my lens."

Since opening, the restaurant has picked up a number of awards including Trencherman's Best Newcomer and the Spotlight Award for Middle Eastern Food at the Be Inclusive Awards. Ayesha has also appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu.

Editor of the Trencherman's Guide, Abi Manning, said: "The atmosphere was one of celebration and solidarity; we have such an abundance of talent, creativity and innovation in the South West and I think everyone present felt proud to be a part of that."

Other winners included OSIP in Bruton, which received the Award for Innovation and Creativity, and Barnaby's in Padstow, which was named Best Trencherman's Restaurant.