Brookmans park chef tastes victory in TV final

VICTORY must have tasted sweet for Ben Ebbrell, as he was crowned king of cuisine on national television last night (Friday). The 21-year-old cookery student won a nationwide search to find a new celebrity chef, which had been broadcast all week on UKTV

VICTORY must have tasted sweet for Ben Ebbrell, as he was crowned king of cuisine on national television last night (Friday).

The 21-year-old cookery student won a nationwide search to find a new celebrity chef, which had been broadcast all week on UKTV Food programme Market Kitchen.

Ben will now get to present his very own recipe, griddled pork with leek and butterbean cassoulet, from London's Borough Market, assisted by Jamie Oliver's prot�g� Aaron Craze.

Ben, studying culinary arts management in Birmingham, said winning the competition was "surreal".

"It was a big surprise, but I'm obviously really pleased," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to going on location with Aaron Craze and making my ideal student recipe, with seasonal ingredients from Borough Market.

"Then there's also the trip to Rick Stein's seafood school in Padstow (Cornwall), which has been arranged for Easter."

Ben will be back in Times Territory at the end of the month, giving tips to students at his old alumni, Chancellor's School in Brookmans Park.

An episode of Market Kitchen featuring Ben presenting his recipe is due to be broadcast on UKTV Food in early April.