Steve Love of Love's Restaurant in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, realised a dream last week when he was crowned National Chef of the Year 2004 at the Royal Garden Hotel in London.
It was Love's fourth shot at the title, run by the Craft Guild of Chefs, after claiming a place in the final by winning one of four semi-finals earlier in the week. Runner-up was Ian Morgan, executive chef of the Establishment Restaurant in Manchester, while Nick Vadis, executive chef of British Airways, Waterside, took third place.
The 10 finalists for the competition, held at the Restaurant Show at London's Olympia, had to prepare a three-course meal for four covers from a mystery basket of ingredients.
Love triumphed with a starter of lobster ravioli with langoustines and celery broth; followed by a breast of pigeon with braised lentils and pumpkin pur‚e; and a white chocolate mousse with banana and whisky ice-cream.