Rainworth-born and educated chef Thomas Moody took part in the regional finals of the Roux Scholarship competition to find Britain’s best young talent in the kitchen.

Thomas (27), who works at the famous Lower Slaughter Manor in the Cotswolds, was judged by several famous chefs, including James Martin, Michel Roux, Gary Rhodes, Brian Turner and Rick Stein.

He had to prepare pollock, cockles and button mushroom with a sauce of his choice.

The scholarship is the premier competition for chefs in the UK and ranks among the most prestigious in the world.

The winner gets the chance to work at a three-star Michelin restaurant and be trained and guided by the Roux family.

A former Joseph Whitaker School pupil, Thomas has previously worked at Il Rosso, Mansfield.

Thomas, who didn’t make the final, said: “I’ve been cooking for 12 years and this is the first time
I’ve done anything like this. It was real honour to get to this point.

“It has taken a lot of time, effort and stress and, although I didn’t get through, it has made me more determined to win next year.”