Eyck Zimmer, senior sous chef at London's Ritz hotel, has been chosen to represent the UK for a second time in the prestigious Bocuse d'Or cooking competition in France.
This unusual second attempt has materialised because this year's Master of Culinary Arts competition was postponed. This competition is usually where the UK's Academy of Culinary Arts selects its candidate for the Bocuse d'Or.
German-born Zimmer (who assumed British citizenship to enter the contest and achieved Britain's best result by coming eighth in 2003) is hoping to raise £10,000 in sponsorship - double the funds he raised last year.
He said other countries were more supportive and often gave entrants paid leave to prepare. Norway's teams, for example, enjoy backing of about £50,000 and have won three times.
The contest, founded by revered French chef Paul Bocuse, will pitch 22 entrants from around the world against each other in Lyons between 25 and 26 January next year.
- If you would like to sponsor the British entry, contact Zimmer at the Ritz on 020 7300 2377 or the Academy of Culinary Arts on 020 8673 6300.