i. Biography
Coming Up
Jude Kereama is Executive Chef and owner of Kota and Kota Kai.
Where They Are Now
Chef/Owner of Kota in Porthleven and Executive Chef and owner at Kota and Kota Kai in Porthleven, Cornwall: that pair of roles places Jude Kereama in both service and oversight, with the kitchen’s daily rhythm and the business behind it held together under the same name. In a harbour town where trade moves with the tide, that arrangement keeps the operation close to the practical demands of the room while also giving the business a clear point of accountability. Asian-Kiwi fusion cooking is the clearest marker of the style associated with Jude Kereama. As a working description, it signals a food language shaped by movement between New Zealand and Cornwall, with place and memory carried into the present rather than treated as separate chapters. The result is a practice defined by continuity: two restaurant names, one line of development, and a cooking identity that is rooted in origin but expressed in Porthleven.
Honors
Jude Kereama has received Trencherman’s Guide Awards — Chef of the Year (2019). Jude's honors include Chef of the Year (2019), Bib Gourmand, and 3 AA Rosettes. Read together, those marks point to work that has held its level over time and has been recognized in more than one register, with Jude Kereama's name now closely tied to Kota and Kota Kai.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Jude
What is Jude Kereama's current role?
As of 2026, Jude Kereama is Chef/Owner.
What recognition has Jude Kereama received?
Chef of the Year (2019).
What is Jude Kereama known for?
Asian-Kiwi fusion cooking.
