A YOUNG culinary king has cooked his way into history as the first ever Essex Chef of the Future.Tom Creek from Harry's Bar in Colchester impressed judges at the grand final at Hylands House in Chelmsford.

A YOUNG culinary king has cooked his way into history as the first ever Essex Chef of the Future.

Tom Creek from Harry's Bar in Colchester impressed judges at the grand final at Hylands House in Chelmsford.

He was up against fellow young chefs, including Robert Everitt from the George Hotel in the town, and two other winners of the area heats.

The judging panel, which included Master Chef of Great Britain, Mark Baumann, gave the nod to Tom's stuffed fillet of venison served with sweet potato fondant, French beans and a red wine sauce.

Tom, 22, of Long Melford, near Sudbury, said he was really pleased to have overcome such strong opposition to take the title.

"I am really chuffed, I did believe I could do it and my head chef was confident, but it was nerve racking at first, but once I had started it was ok," he said.

Judge and Essex county councillor, Peter Martin, said people should take the chance to find out what the region had to offer in terms of great food.

He said: "This competition has proved what great talent we have in Essex and highlighted the variety of home grown produce available.

"This has given young chefs a great opportunity to raise their profile and the profile of the food industry in Essex."