A Baughurst chef who puts training up youngsters at the heart of his operation has been named as a finalist for a top award.
Jason King, who runs The Wellington Arms off Baughurst Road, has been named in the Gastropub Chef of The Year shortlist.
The 39-year-old said he was thrilled to be nominated, and believes the award could help boost team morale.
“It’s fantastic to be nominated, any award is good,” he said. “I didn’t think we were going to do so well, but it now looks we have done rather well.”
The competition, organised by leading industry magazine, the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, is another nomination is a long list of gongs scooped by the pub.
Last year Jason won the Best Pub Chef 2011 at the Good Food Guide 2011 Editors Awards.
Since launching the pub eight years ago Jason, along with partner Simon Page, 42, have turned around the ailing boozer.
The pub, which has recently completed a three-year, £500,000 revamp, grows its produce on site.
And with a staff of 32 chefs and waiters aged between 15 to 21-years-old, Jason praised their commitment in boosting the restaurant’s success.
“When we got the pub, it was boarded up and a bit run down,” he said. “Now we are changing the pub for good. The staff here start off by doing a bit of washing up, and over time they learn to cook.
“I’ve got five in here this morning and they all started off young, now they are cooking and running the show. What’s great is the boys and girls that work here, when they get old enough, they become waiters as well, so they learn to do both things.”
Jason is one of three chefs shortlisted for the accolade, whittled down from a list of 50 picked by the Morning Advertiser. The magazine’s editor Rob Willcock praised the Australian-born chef. He said: “Jason is an outstanding chef and his superb cooking is a major reason why The Wellington Arms is so popular.”
The winner will be announced on February 6.
