BROCKENCOTE Hall Hotel's chef Jerome Barbanon has come third in the Aubrey Allen Midlands Chef of the Year competition.

Eight chefs went before a panel of expert judges at Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies and each had to cook a four-course meal from a basket of ingredients that were not disclosed until the day.

The event was organised by the Midlands Association of Chefs with Scotch beef specialist Aubrey Allen Ltd.

Joseph and Alison Petitjean, who own the country house hotel, in Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster, said Mr Barbanon had "consistently produced quite excellent food in the years he has been with us."

"But to be in the top three shows that his skills are recognised on a wider front by his fellow professionals and he should be very proud of his achievement," said Mr Petitjean.