THE HEAD chef at The Cornish Arms in Tavistock has been named as a finalist in the Chef of the Year Award of the Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastro Pubs 2014.

John Hooker, a former chef at Lewtrenchard Manor, is one of three UK finalists shortlisted for the award.

The award, organised by The Publican's Morning Advertiser, recognises the best chefs cooking in gastropubs across the UK.

A panel of judges, comprising leading industry food writers and pub guide editors, selected John as a finalist.

The Publican's Morning Advertiser managing editor Jo Bruce said: 'John is an outstanding chef and deserves to be named as one of the three finalists.'

The overall winner will be announced at an awards lunch on Monday, January 27 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

l John is pictured.

Picture by James Bird