A YOUNG Horrabridge chef got his international career off to a flying start last week when he won a prestigious national award.

Anthony Rush, 21, took third prize in the American Express Young Chef 2000 awards in London on Monday. He will be jetting off to Switzerland for a week's work experience with top chef Anton Mosimann.

Anthony, speaking from Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham where he is second chef, said: 'It was great. I'm very pleased and all my friends and family at home were pleased too.

'I was the youngest one in the competition, both the guys who beat me were seasoned veterans, so it's great for my CV to have come third and to get to work with Anton Mosimann.'

Anthony, a keen skier, is hoping to make it to the Swiss mountain retreat this winter, but he will have to juggle the trip with the Cheltenham Gold Cup festival, a busy time for the restaurant.