Holbrook tops the lot

A Chef de partie from Sodexho's Hasbro account in Basingstoke, Hampshire, has been named British Meat Chef of the Year 2002.

Emily Holbrook, 25, was awarded the title having previously won the contract catering category of the awards at a cook-off last month.

She was selected as the overall winner of the Chef of the Year title from seven category winners at a lunch at the Ivy in London last week. She was presented with a cheque for £2,000.

Holbrook was one of 42 chefs selected to attend the cook-off finals of the third British Meat Chef of the Year competition. Her winning dish - slow braised belly pork with Scottish croquettes, apple chutney and roast parsnips - was described by British Meat foodservice trade manager John Gray as a dish with a special quality.

"While it complies with the cost parameters applicable to the contract catering sector, it could also be adapted for use in high-class restaurants," he said.

"The 2002 finalists showed an extremely high standard throughout, but in the end Emily's dish stood out from the rest for its exceptional quality."