A Suffolk chef is celebrating as he has reached the semi-finals of the UK's most prestigious culinary competition, previously won by Gordon Ramsay.
Sam Clover, who works as head chef at The Peacock Inn in Chelsworth, is one of just 40 chefs who have been shortlisted for this stage of the Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year competition.
Mr Clover, 36, said: "I've never entered before, so was just entering for the challenge and something to get stuck into.
"I am a very creative person and the tasks allow you to be creative with flavour and ingredients which I have enjoyed."
To get to this stage of the competition, chefs had to create a three-course menu that focussed on food waste and the creative use of ingredients.
The starter could be a fish, seafood or vegetarian dish while the main was a lamb dish and the third dish was a hot or cold dessert which included a savory aspect.
Mr Clover, who is from Ipswich, said of his success so far: "I am pretty stoked to have been selected.
"I wasn't sure if I would be and there's some top chefs in the list from around the country, so to be selected alongside those other guys is great."
There are just 10 places in the final, submissions for which closed at 12pm on Monday, and those shortlisted for the final stages will be announced on Thursday, July 27.
Semi-finalists were asked to create a vegan amuse-bouche which included zero food waste.
Finalists will compete in a cook-off at the University of West London in October and the winner will receive the most sought-after chef title in the UK, as well as a host of culinary prizes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here