Headed by local food heroes Simon Hulstone, Mitch Tonks and Peter Gorton, it will launch in Exeter at Southernhay House in late May 2012. The Chefs' Forum project aims to harness the culinary talent and knowledge in the area as well as offer excellent networking opportunities to young student chefs. Significantly, the launch in Bristol opened up channels of communication between the catering industry, education and suppliers – a need established by marketing consultants Catherine Farinha and Abby Allen in talking to education, industry and trade. The forum runs all year and is punctuated by quarterly networking events in Bristol and Devon. The Chefs' Forum in Bristol is co-ordinated by Farinha and headed by acclaimed chef Chris Wicks of Bell's Diner; Josh Eggleton, chef proprietor of the Michelin starred Pony and Trap; and Adrian Kirikmaa, chef trainer at City of Bristol College. They are now joined by top Devon chefs Tonks, head chef at The Seahorse & Rock Fish Grill; Hulstone, head chef at The Elephant Restaurant; and Gorton, head chef at Gorton's of Tavistock, and is co-ordinated by Allen. Hulstone said: "All good chefs have benefited from good mentors and role models at some point in their career and it's hugely important to help inspire the next generation. Whether it's through an apprenticeship or a week's work experience at The Elephant, I find it very rewarding to help young chefs build their confidence and to see first hand how hard work, determination and passion pays off. The Chefs' Forum is a great initiative that brings together all the best bits of the local catering scene. I'm proud to be a part of it." Throughout the year it aims to provide everyday professional needs from recruitment to produce and equipment as well as enlisting talented young apprentices from the local catering colleges into member restaurants and providing students with an opportunity to see how the industry works. Each gathering will host interesting and exciting speakers, demonstrations and quality local producers. Quality suppliers will be invited to showcase their products, which will help support the use of them in Devon's top restaurants. Exeter College and City College Plymouth are both keen to be involved as it will mean their catering students will be able to mingle with top chefs from the area, understand more about how the industry works and have the opportunity to secure apprenticeships and work experience more easily.