Nick Evans, head chef at Owens restaurant at the Celtic Manor resort near Newport, has been crowned the Best Chef in Wales.

Evans, 33, won a tense cook-off last week to take the title in the National Chef of Wales Final, which is organised by the Welsh Culinary Association.

Held every two years and sponsored by the Welsh Development Agency and Hybu Cig Cymru (the industry organisation for the promotion and marketing of red meat in Wales), the final was held at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, Rhos-on-Sea.

Evans collected a £500 cash prize and will now join the Welsh National Culinary Team for the Culinary World Cup 2006 in Luxembourg in November.

Evans will recreate his winning menu for 120 guests at a presentation dinner at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru on 5 April.