THE head chef of a Basingstoke pub has been selected as a finalist in a national competition.

Gordon Stott is one of three finalists for the Pub Chef of the Year in the Craft Guild of Chefs awards.

The 24-year-old took over the running of The Sun Inn, in North Waltham, in 2012, aged 20, and as head chef and landlord, is one of the youngest people in the country to hold this dual position.

His application for the award said: “Gordon has an all-encompassing, hands-on approach to the day-to-day running of the business.

His role involves an intimate understanding of running a successful pub, not just the kitchen, but also front of house operations and the general upkeep of the building itself.”

Gordon has forged links with Basingstoke College of Technology, taking on graduate trainees, work experience students and kitchen staff. To date, eight kitchen staff have been mentored at the pub from college level to gastropub standard, giving them the confidence and experience to manage their own section of the kitchen.

Gordon’s sous chef was employed straight from college and is now in charge of running the kitchen in his absence.

Gordon’s application added: “Gordon is a truly inspirational individual, chef and businessman. He has been instrumental in increasing profits by 53 per cent since he took over.

“His dedication to the business is unflinching, and he has made many personal sacrifices like not taking a holiday in over three years, to devote all his time to making the pub a success.”

The pub also has close links with the community and runs special events for local charities. Gordon is involved with the Federation of Small Businesses, providing demonstrations to groups to showcase his cooking and offer insight into running a gastropub.

Gordon will now compete against two other finalists and will cook for judges who will decide the winner, to be announced on June 15, at Park Lane Hilton.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have made the final. It was a big surprise, I can’t wait until the award ceremony.”