AN award-winning chef is hoping to become Britain's best cook after advancing through to the finals of a national competition.

Jonathan Ferguson, 25, works at Darlington's Michelin two-star The Raby Hunt and will next week compete in the final of The Roux Scholarship, in front of a panel of judges and some of the biggest names in the industry.

He successfully made it through the semi-finals last month and is now within touching distance of the top prize -£12,000 and an invitation to cook and train under the supervision of a leading chef at a prestigious three-star Michelin restaurant anywhere in the world.

Ferguson had to wait a year and a half to show off his expertise after the coronavirus pandemic halted proceedings.

Read more: The Raby Hunt chef competing in regional finals

Darlington and Stockton Times: Ferguson during the semi-finalFerguson during the semi-final

But that didn't affected his creativity, and it was his recipe using hake, clams and leeks that convinced the judges he was the real deal.

The 25-year-old will appear in the final next Monday and hope to wow judges Michel Roux Jnr, James Martin and Briant Turner CBE among other Michelin-starred chefs.

The Chef De Partie first entered the kitchen at The Raby Hunt last February and has continued to evolve and progress his skills since.

Ferguson is no stranger to success though. He has previously been crowned Scottish Young Chef of the Year, aged 19 while working in Glasgow, and also as the best British and Game young chef of the year.

The national finals take place next Monday, October 25, in London.

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