Ray Steplin, 22, who works at the House of Commons, battled it out in a Masterchef-style cook-off at University College Birmingham (UCB).

He said: “Hearing my name read out as the winner for this year’s Wing Yip Oriental Young Chef of the Year was extraordinary.

“I know I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for the support I’ve been given along the way, which is why I would like to say thank you to Wing Yip for giving this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but also the British Culinary Federation and my chef and management at the House of Commons for all of their help.”

To receive a place in the cook-off, finalists were required to submit a two-course Oriental menu idea, featuring a street food starter and a quality restaurant standard main.

Steplin impressed with a starter of an oxtail and wasabi steamed bun, glazed with ponzu prune sauce, oriental slaw and pickled radish, followed by a main of seared miso black cod with courgette, black radish and carrot tender noodles, dashi chicken broth and squid ink tapioca crisp.

The panel of judges included president of the British Culinary Federation Peter Griffiths, Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell and 2013 MasterChef finalist, Larkin Cen.

Steplin faced competition from 15 other finalists from trade and colleges, including UCB; Westminster Kingsway College; Bradford College, Loughborough College, University of Derby and University of West London.