Thompson takes over kitchen at Winteringham

Robert Thompson is to become head chef at Annie and Germain Schwab's Winteringham Fields restaurant.

The Schwabs claim 21-year-old Thompson will be the youngest chef in Britain to lead a two-Michelin-starred kitchen when he takes up the position on 29 November.

Currently sous chef at the 42-seat restaurant with rooms in Winteringham, Lincolnshire, he will replace head chef Gavin Aitkenhead.

In his new role Thompson will report directly to Germain, who will continue to run the kitchen as chef-patron. In spite of Thompson's young age, Annie said the restaurant's new head chef had all the credentials to lead the 12-strong brigade.

She said: "He's got the passion, he's got the skill and he's got the talent - you can't give people that."

Although Thompson has not yet taken up his role, she added: "The brigade is already running to Robbie's tune. They're totally behind him."

Aitkenhead is moving to Rish, a modern European restaurant in York.