Steffan Davies has beaten off competition from hundreds of entrants to win the South West Learndirect Intermediate Level Apprentice of the year of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014. Steffan has been working at the prestigious Gidleigh Park Hotel for nearly two years. He started by doing an apprenticeship at Exeter College and has now progressed to a Commis Chef. Steffan, originally from Wales, competed in many competitions including Springboard's Future Chef and through this competition made contact with Michael Caines.

Gidleigh Park is home to the much loved two Michelin starred celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE. Michael continues to develop his cuisine using the very finest local produce and his exceptional culinary skills to great appreciation. Food and wine at Gidleigh Park are truly special. Michael Caines MBE is one of the UK's most inspirational chefs. In the Sunday Times Food List with Harden's Guides, Gidleigh park once again appears as the top best restaurant in the UK.

The National Apprenticeship Awards, now in their eleventh year, celebrate the achievements of the country's most outstanding apprentices and Apprenticeship employers. The award winners were announced at a ceremony organised by the National Apprenticeship Service held at Holiday Inn, Deane Gate, Taunton on 16th September 2014

Steffan said “I'm extremely privileged and honoured to be the winner of this award and happy to give something back to Gidleigh and Exeter College for all they have done for me over the last years. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to give anyone a strong start in the working world and their careers by giving you the best of both worlds, the best training and the best working opportunities

Sue Husband, Executive Director Apprenticeships and Delivery at the Skills Funding Agency said: “Apprenticeships are thriving in England, and it's not hard to see why. They offer ambitious young people and adults unrivalled career prospects, and give businesses an exceptional route to grow a highly qualified and motivated workforce. “The National Apprenticeship Awards recognise the best of the best and are an excellent opportunity for individuals and employers to gain the credit they richly deserve for investing in their own futures. I am delighted that Steffan Drew has won this award and would like to congratulate him on this success. All of the finalists should be extremely proud of their achievements.”

College staff celebrating with Steffan as he picked up his award included John Wheeler head of hospitality and catering at Exeter College who said “We have seen apprenticeships grow year on year at the college and it's a fantastic way to learn and gain qualifications in our industry. Apprenticeships can offer so much for the learner and we find our students making the very most of all of the programmes they are on. Steffan is a prime example of this and has been involved in competitions, giving demonstrations at food shows, educational visits and trips both in the UK and abroad and support more junior chefs within the college. I am delighted Steffan has won this award and I'm sure he will have a fantastic career ahead of him.”

And Exeter College were celebrating a double win at the awards. Alcoa Howmet, one of the college's leading employer partners on apprenticeships, won the The BAE systems Large Employer of the Year (250 – 4,999 employees) award for their continued commitment to taking on and supporting apprentices.

All the South West winners will now proceed through to a final national judging stage and the highest scoring Apprenticeship employer entries nationally will have the additional honour of featuring in the acclaimed England's Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, which will be produced by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds.

The national award winners will be revealed during an awards ceremony at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on the 13 November 2014.