A new Local Food Champion has been crowned after a sizzling competition final at the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival.
Ben Hughes, from The White Horse at Overstrand beat fellow finalist Ryan Lee, from Titchwell Manor, to win the cookery showdown in the courtyard at Holkham Hall yesterday.
The 19-year-old delighted the judges with his ravioli of local crab with a tomato, smoked salmon and lime salsa, followed by pan-fried halibut on a potato and beetroot rosti, with a velout� of cream and salami.
It was the culmination of five months of heats which tested rival up-and-coming chefs from Norfolk's top pubs, hotels and restaurants on their culinary skills, and their love of local produce.
As part of his prize, Mr Hughes will travel to London to attend a course at the Billingsgate Seafood Training School before being mentored by executive head chef Stephen Pini at Fishmongers' Hall.
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