Chef cooks up a winner

A chef from Mid Wales had been crowned the principality's best in a prestigious competition.Neil Roberts, from the Waggon and Horses in Newtown, battled it out against three other chefs to be named National Chef of Wales 2008.

The 43-year-old triumphed at the Welsh International Culinary Championships held in North Wales yesterday.

As well as a trophy, he has won £2,000, which he plans to spend on a new air conditioning unit for his 40-seater restaurant.

Mr Roberts, who has been a chef for 25 years and has run the Waggon and Horses with his wife Jackie for 13 years, said he was the old man of the contest, as he was 21 years older than the youngest contestant.

"It's great to bring the title back to Mid Wales for the first time," said Mr Roberts, who trained at Coleg Powys in Newtown. "There was a little tear in my eye when I realised I was the winner.

"It just shows you don't necessarily have to be a chef in a big, glamorous hotel to win this competition."

He praised his mentor, Nick Davies, a member of the Welsh National Culinary Team from Cambrian Training Company in Welshpool, for his help and advice.

Mr Roberts will now be asked to reproduce his winning menu for 120 guests at a presentation dinner to be held at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno, on May 1.