Not only is Ashley this year's champion, he is also the first to win two consecutive finals.

Chef Gary said: “Reaching the finals of such a fantastic competition for the third year running was a massive personal achievement for me but to be announced vegetarian Chef of the Future 2013 was one of the highlights of my year.

"Competing against some extremely talented chefs who produced a delectable array of fabulous vegetarian cuisine, I was overwhelmed when my Asian themed menu came out on top. I was really pleased with the way I executed all my dishes and so it was a perfect end to a brilliant day of cooking up some of my favourite ingredients."

The final saw four contestants - James Tudor from Staffordshire, Jonathan Tite from Yorkshire, Gary Ashley from Hampshire and Natasha Koncewicz from Suffolk - battle it out to produce a three course vegetarian meal, plated for four people, within three hours.

Cordon Vert’s principal tutor Alex Connell said: “Congratulations to Gary Ashley, winner of the title chef of the future 2013. Gary produced a fantastic set of dishes, presented to the highest of standards. As the winner from the previous year he also had the pressure to improve on last year – which he did.”
 
Connell continued: “All of the chefs in the final of the Chef of the Future produced exceptional dishes. The starter by Jonathan Tite – warmed watercress and nettle panna cotta early summer salad was presented beautifully. The flavour of James Tudor’s starter of fresh tortellini of Staffordshire organic garlic cheese and woodland mushrooms was divine. Natasha Koncewicz’s main course playfully created a delicious veggie version of a turf and surf theme. But, the winner was Chef Gary Ashley.”

The winning menu

 Spiced butter bean pattie, sweet chilli, lemongrass and soy

Sri Lankan sweet potato, cauliflower and spinach curry, cashew and coconut milk
With saffron and cardamom rice, cumin and garlic flat bread
 
Mango, lime and cardamom panna cotta with anise poached pears and sesame and vanilla tuille