THE TEAM from The Rosevine at Portscatho, pictured, has been crowned winner of the Cornish Challenge 2012 at the end of a heated head-to-head battle between six finalists.

The Cornish Challenge is run by Cornwall Catering Excellence, a partnership of seven longstanding Cornish family businesses and Cornwall College, which works together to promote the best of Cornish hospitality and encourage businesses to boost the local economy by choosing local suppliers.

Last week saw six Cornish teams putting their culinary skills to the test, competing to win over the panel of judges, comprising two of Cornwall's most celebrated chefs, Paul Ripley, of Rick Stein's Seafood Bar in Falmouth, and Nigel Tabb, of Tabb's in Truro, who were joined by head judge Elizabeth Carter, consultant editor of The Good Food Guide.

In addition to the three food judges, two front of house judges, Lorna Dunstan and Bob Bishop of Cornwall College, were closely monitoring the quality of service from each of the teams.

Bustophers Bar Bistro, The Ferryboat Inn, Harbourside Restaurant at The Greenbank, The Rosevine, Rosewarne Manor and Silk's Bistro each had to produce a four-course menu based around seasonal Cornish ingredients and serve it to the judges in addition to 20 guests on the night. It couldn't have been a tighter contest. However, it was the The Rosevine which triumphed overall, bringing together the combined skills of Ben Churchman, Leigh Dow and Mark Lewin, led by head chef Tony Duce.

The Ferryboat Inn came in second place and Silk's Bistro a close third.