A CHEF with ambitions of creating his own chain of gastro pubs and steak houses has been named winner of THE ONE, a contest offering early-stage entrepreneurs a package of business support worth �50,000.

Edward Halls took over as tenant of the Rose & Crown at Great Horkesley, near Colchester, in March this year, reopening it the following month following a refurbishment supported by the pub’s owner, Greene King.

Having introduced a menu of homemade quality food, using local and seasonal produce, he has turned over �250,000 in his first six months.

He was chosen from among seven businesses from across the region selected as finalists for THE ONE, which was open to new entrepreneurs or those trading for up to five years.

THE ONE was run by PR consultancy Voice Communications and creative agency Zeal in partnership with the East Anglian Daily Times and four other successful businesses within the region.

Included in the prize are PR consultancy and implementation from Voice to the value of �15,000; design consultancy and creative services from Zeal to the value of �15,000; and advertising in the East Anglian Daily Times to the value of �10,000.

The package also includes business consultancy from Angela Kimberley Ltd to the value of �3,500; accountancy advice and annual returns from LB Group worth �3,000; leadership and management coaching from Faith Performance worth �2,000; and MyRuby call answering services for a year to the value of �1,500.

Mr Halls, who was yesterday presented with a certificate to mark his achievement, said: “It is wonderful to have won; I am so pleased. A prize of this kind can make a huge difference to a small business such as this.”

His immediate goal is to establish the Rose & Crown as the best place to eat in the area, combining quality, service and value, but in the longer run he hopes to open further venues, possibly under a steak house format.

Simon Longbottom, managing director for Greene King’s leased and tenanted pub division, said: “Edward has only been in the pub since March this year and he has transformed it. He’s an inspiration to other young business people who want to make it in the pub and hospitality sector.”

Updates on Mr Halls’ progress will appear in BusinessEast over the coming months as he works with the firms behind THE ONE contest to promote and develop his business.