A CHEF has scooped three awards after cooking in front of a live audience in a national competition.

Jeff Thomas, of Hilton, won three prizes at Hotelympia's Salon Culinaire contest held in London.

The 58-year-old won honours for his cooking and hygiene standards.

Jeff said he was as pleased with both types of award.

He said: "The hygiene one is tough to get. You have Environmental Health Officers following you around so you can't let your concentration slip."

The competition consists of groups of chefs battling in different categories to win gold, silver or bronze awards, with many rounds competed in front of a live audience.

Jeff's three awards were a merit for a dish he created, giving duck a liquorice glaze.

He also won a silver award for a pork fillet cooked with stilton and mustard.

And he was given a hygiene certificate for his standards of preparation.

He said: "There were chefs there who had worked in Claridge's in London. They were some high-quality chefs so I was very proud of what I achieved.

"The rounds in front of the audiences added an extra challenge, being watched by about 400 people."

A freelance chef, Jeff has worked at Branston Golf and Country Club, helped set up The Winery in Burton and does occasional lectures at Burton College.