The Young Pub Chef of the Year award went to Robert Yuill from D’Arcy Thompson in Dundee, and Milan Hukal from the Dog Inn, Grundisburgh was named Pub Chef of the Year.

Over 120 nominations were received from MPs around the country who selected a pub chef from within their constituency for the inaugural awards.

A cook-off, which can be watched below, was staged in January where each of the finalists had the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and flair in presenting a dish to the select panel of judges.

Robert, who was nominated by Chris Law MP, said: “Everybody was very, very good I’m sure the competition is going to do well for the industry in years to come and I’m sure it will benefit me and everybody involved in the future - delighted, delighted! I just wasn’t expecting to win.

"The kind of recognition this competition offers is exactly what I think people need to get the importance of pub chef’s and attract more and more talent to the industry.”  

Milan (right), who was nominated by Dr Daniel Poulter MP, said: “It feels absolutely amazing to win, I honestly didn’t expect it. This is the first award I’ve ever won, I can’t exactly tell you, but this was something that I didn’t realise I can do and I did, I just genuinely tried my best.”

In the cook-off, which took place at Fuller’s The Vintry pub in London, Robert impressed the judges with a venison dish, while Milan cooked brill with razor clams.

The event was run by the BBPA and the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, in partnership with Nestlé Professional.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive, BBPA, said: “The huge response to our Pub Chef competition from MPs has been a real inspiration, and we’ve enjoyed so many amazing dishes from our great pub chefs.

"There is already huge talent in the sector, and we must work with MPs, local colleges and the whole pub sector to ensure that the next generation of pub chefs has the skills, support and opportunities to take the sector even further.”