Winner of National Chef of Wales announced

13th February 2008, 12:11pm

Neil Roberts, chef landlord of The Waggon and Horses, Newton, is celebrating after becoming the first National Chef of Wales winner from Mid Wales.

Roberts picked up the coveted title along with £2,000 prize money after a final cook-off with three rival chefs at the Welsh International Culinary Championships at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, Rhos on Sea yesterday.

All four chefs had to devise and cook a four-course menu in three hours from a mystery black box of ingredients, which they saw only the night before the contest. The ingredients included some True Taste of Wales award winning products.

The winning chef commented on his achievement: "It's great to bring the title back to Mid Wales for the first time…it just shows that you don't necessarily have to be a chef in a big, glamorous hotel to win this competition.

"I am still going to be using good, Welsh ingredients in my cooking and I'm definitely going to put my main course from the final on the menu at the Waggon and Horses."

Roberts, who also won the Mid Wales Chef of the Year award in last month's semi final, will now be asked to reproduce his winning menu for 120 guests at a presentation dinner at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno on 1 May.

He plans to spend the prize money on an air conditioning unit for his 40-cover restaurant.

The competition is organised by the Welsh Culinary Association (WSA) and sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government and Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales.

Related Articles:

• 29 Sep 2011 - The search begins to find National Chef of Wales 2012
• 24 Jan 2011 - Welsh chefs get set for NEC Showdown
• 17 Feb 2010 - Iain Sampson scoops National Chef of Wales title
• 09 Feb 2010 - Chris Owen to compete for senior National Chef of Wales title
• 17 Nov 2009 - Sampson earns place in final of National Chef of Wales 2010
• 06 Nov 2009 - Welsh winner of FutureChef contest to compete in National Chef of Wales 2010
• 23 Sep 2009 - Chefs in Wales battle for £2,000
• 02 Sep 2009 - Scotland & Ireland get set for Welsh International Championships
• 20 Feb 2009 - Victory for New Zealand chefs

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