Simon Rogan, Chef/proprietor of L`Enclume in Cumbria, has been voted best chef in this year`s Good Food Guide`s Editor`s Choice Awards.
The experimental chef, who opened his second venture Rogan & Co, close to l`Enclume earlier this year, was one of the people the guide said was making a real difference to the UK dining scene.
Rogan said he was "absolutely thrilled" to receive the accolade and said it was a reflection of his team. "We had a difficult start to the year, with the sudden death of a close colleague, but we`ve all pulled together and the really exciting part is that with the refurbishment of the dining room and a brand new kitchen at L`Enclume, and now being open seven days a week, we see it as just the start."
Marcus Eaves, Head Chef at L`Autre Pied was dubbed best up-and-coming chef while Dominic Chapman of the Royal Oak in Berkshire was chosen as best pub chef.
Restaurants noted for excellence in the guide are Michael Wignall at the Latymer in Surrey, voted restaurant newcomer of the year, The Captain`s Gallery, Scotland (best fish restaurant)and COte, London (best value for money).
Great British Menu chef Stephen Terry`s restaurant, The Hardwick in Abergavenny, was noted for its good use of local produce while The Gallery CafT at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester was chosen as best family restaurant.
Pub newcomer of the year was the Yew Tree Inn in Kent and Holbeck Ghyll, the country house hotel in the Lake District, was revered for its wine list.
Good Food Guide editor Elizabeth Carter said: "You don`t have to be a posh restaurant to get into The Good Food Guide - we`ve awarded a family-run fish restaurant in the Highlands. These chefs and restaurateurs are making a difference to the UK scene, often away from the London limelight."
The Good Food Guide 2009, published by Which? goes on sale from September 4 for £16.99. Buy it online at www.which.co.uk/books
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