A WALKHAMPTON man, currently serving in the Royal Air Force, is celebrating after reaching the final of a hotly contested and coveted military catering award.

Cpl Christopher Dobson, 33, was one of seven individuals whose performance was deemed to be worthy of a place in the final of the Royal Air Force Caterer of the Year award.

The award was established to recognise individuals within the catering branch of the Royal Air Force who have shown excellence, innovation and dedication to the role of the Royal Air Force Caterer.

The prize eventually went to one of Christopher's fellow finalists in recognition for his work in providing mobile catering to military personnel who were deployed in support of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Christopher is currently serving as a chef at Royal Air Force Boulmer in Northumberland where he leads a team of chefs employed in the kitchens of a busy officers' mess.

As well as ensuring that three meals a day are provided for hungry RAF officers, he is also required, on special occasions, to lead his team in providing fine dining, a challenge he is always happy to accept as he relishes the opportunity to 'flex' his culinary muscles.

His nomination is recognition of the continued excellence and exacting standards that he shows on a daily basis and his work in ensuring that his excellence is echoed by his staff.

Christopher said: 'Although I am naturally disappointed not to have won, I am still hugely honoured to have been nominated, as I know how many outstanding chefs there are in the Royal Air Force and they all do an incredible job, day in and day out.

'I must admit to feeling embarrassed as I simply think that I am only doing my job to the best of my ability. I am fortunate to be fronting a great team of people in the officers' mess and I truly believe that the nomination is not just for me but is recognition of the excellence of the whole team.'

Christopher lives in Northumberland with his wife Christianne and his three children, Thomas, Alicia and Morgan.

He attended Tavistock College and his parents Michael and Susan still in in Walkhampton.