Glastonbury's Ayesha Kalaji, chef-patron of Queen of Cups, has been named a finalist in the Best Trencherman's Chef category at this year's Trencherman's Awards, cementing her reputation as one of the region's most exciting culinary talents.

The awards, which celebrate the best of South West hospitality, will take place at the Homewood country house hotel near Bath on March 24, where the winners will be revealed during a grand ceremony and multi-course supper.

Kalaji, who won Best Trencherman's Newcomer 2024, will also play a key role in this year's prestigious event, creating the dessert course for the awards dinner alongside other previous winners.

Originally from Anglesey, Kalaji trained at Leiths School of Food and Wine before honing her skills at top London restaurants, including Bubala, The Good Egg, and The Palomar. She relocated to Glastonbury to open Queen of Cups, an award-winning gastropub where she brings together her Jordanian heritage and French culinary training to craft modern Middle Eastern dishes.

The Trencherman's Awards are a highlight of the South West's food calendar, with winners chosen by public vote. Kalaji joins a strong line-up of Somerset finalists, with Merlin Labron-Johnson (OSIP, Bruton) and Tommy Thorn (Puro, Clevedon) also competing in the Best Trencherman's Chef category.

Other Somerset finalists include:

• Best Trencherman's Restaurant: OSIP, Bruton
• Best Trencherman's Pub: Chequers, Bath
• Award for Creativity and Innovation: OSIP, Bruton
• Best Front of House Team: Iford Manor Kitchen, near Bath
• Best Trencherman's Newcomer: Iford Manor Kitchen, near Bath
• Best Bar List: Corkage, Bath; Roth Bar, Bruton

For more details on the awards, visit Trencherman's Guide.