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Porptatrick Chef Crowned Scottish Chef of the Year

A PORTPATRICK chef has beaten off all comers to be crowned Scottish Chef of the Year.

Tony Pearce has been Head Chef at the Knockinaam Lodge in Portpatrick for 14 years and has finally been recognised for his work.

It was the fifth year in a row Tony was nominated for the top prize, but he admitted he was shocked to learn he had won. He said:

"You kind of give up hope, but I guess it was fifth time lucky."

Manchester–born Tony was the only chef in the region to be nominated for the top prize but was quick to praise his team around him. He said:

"I've got a good team, David Alexander, Matt Davidson and John McCreadie are all local and they make the job easy."

It was the first time since 2005 that the award was given to a chef outside the central belt. Tony said:

"It was nice to see chefs so far away being considered for the award."

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