Bomford and Tesco sponsored a cookery competition at the Hotelympia exhibition in London's Earls Court on Tuesday.

The two firms provided ingredients and prizes for the Chinese New Year masterclass – part of the internationally renowned Salon Culinaire showcase for chefs, running from February 4 to 8.

Nine chefs from around the UK competed in front of a packed audience and panel of prestigious judges from the culinary world at the exhibition centre's live theatre.

Participants had 30 minutes to prepare two Chinese-style dishes comprising mangetout, sugar snap peas, runner beans and spring onions, as well as one other vegetable supplied by the sponsors, and ingredients of their choice bought from Tesco.

Stephen Li, chef at the Queens Moathouse Hotels, scooped first prize, winning £100 and a trophy for his honey and soy encrusted seabass.

Meanwhile, Gareth Eddy and Ryan Tomkins of the St Austell Brewery Company, Cornwall, and Kevin Williams of Castell Malgwyn Country Estate Hotel in Llechryd were awarded bronze for their dishes.

Ricky Idris of the Royal Garden Hotel, London received merit for his meatballs in orange and mandarin sauce.

Salon Culinaire participants' handiwork could be sampled by exhibition visitors at La Parade des Chefs restaurant throughout the show. l

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