Sponsored by Christie & Co

It came as no surprise to the industry that the 2005 Newcomer of the Year was Simon Rogan, chef-proprietor of L'Enclume in the idyllic Lakeland village of Cartmel. But for Rogan himself, who runs the property with his partner Penny Tapsell, the news was a complete surprise.

"I was delighted. Being in deepest, darkest Cumbria you sometimes feel the world is passing you by and that nobody really cares about a small provincial restaurant so far north," said Rogan candidly. "So often places based in London and the South-east scoop many of the high-profile awards and establishments outside that area are sometimes ignored. Luckily for us that was not the case and the awarding of our Catey is a sign that this is changing."

Rogan said the response from his contemporaries in the industry was "pretty amazing". As a result, he didn't really get much work done over the following two days because the phone wouldn't stop ringing. "The hangover probably didn't help either," he laughed, "but then I'm sure Shaun Rankin's (2005 Menu of the Year winner) was probably worse!"

One element of winning that particularly touched Rogan was the fact that people with whom he had lost contact over the years got back in touch with him to congratulate him, not to mention the pats on the back he received from people he didn't know.

It would have been easy for Rogan to have offered a "nice, safe" food style that appealed to the masses, but that's not what he's about. Despite his inventive and ambitious cooking style, in 2005 L'Enclume was awarded a Michelin star and three AA rosettes. "I was always confident of establishing L'Enclume as a destination restaurant of originality and quality, but it takes a lot of hard work getting there and there's still a way to go," he said.

Rogan will join this year's judges to select the 2006 Newcomer of the Year. But what will he be looking for in his successor? "I like to be a bit of a rebel. I admire someone who has an idea that defies logic, but is successful through hard work, talent and sheer will," he said. "Originality and trusting your own instinct is everything - maybe it doesn't always work, but it's a real buzz trying. If you can do all that and keep a huge grin on your face, you'll get my vote."

Winning a Catey has been a big reward for the team at L'Enclume, and Rogan is keen to stress that he shares this title with his staff. "They've made everything possible and share my vision," he said. "Until you win a Catey, you don't truly appreciate how prestigious an award it is. Seeing your name added to all the previous winners is an amazing feeling."

Judges' criteria

The Newcomer of the Year Catey is open to all entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry who have seized an opportunity and made a name for themselves. The winner will:

• Run a business that will have been operating for less than three years on 1 July 2006
• Have established a reputation for quality and service.