A WEST DEVON chef has won a coveted national title for his skills at an event in Newton Abbot recently.
Richard Hunt, head chef at Browns Hotel, Tavistock, won the Nestlé Independent Head Chef of the Year award at the MJ Baker Foodservice Trade Show, having cooked his way to become one of the final three contestants in the competition.
Michelle Stephenson, development manager for Browns, said: 'We are all very proud of Richard. This is a wonderful endorsement of our restaurant, where he delivers the highest standards of quality dining consistently.'
Richard's winning dish was a poached fillet of cod on coriander and lime mash with trio of langoustine, scallop and crab spring rolls accompanied by chervil, tomato and balsamic dressing.
Judge Bert Good, Nestlé's executive chef, found the dish and Richard's cooking satisfied the criteria of quality, presentation, taste, skill, working practices and hygiene.
A special dinner menu celebrating Richard's achievement will be available at Browns throughout this month.