A HAMPSHIRE chef battling to win a Parliamentary pub competition has missed out on the top prize.

Ryan Lamb, of the Tally Ho in Broughton, had been nominated for Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year by Romsey and Southampton North MP, Caroline Nokes.

Ryan was one of only four pub chefs who made it through to the final stage, and although that ranked him as the top pub chef in the south, he missed out on the overall award.

Ryan said: "This experience has been exciting, motivating and humbling.

"To know that the hard work and passion that pub chefs put into their work every day is being recognised nationally and that is incredibly rewarding."

The winner of the award was won by Kevin MacLean of the Rat Inn, near Hexham.

MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, said: "It was lovely to welcome Ryan and his wife Kerry to Parliament on Wednesday and I am enormously proud that he has been recognised as one of the top four pub chefs in the UK.

"While he may have missed out on the top spot by the narrowest of margins, it remains a huge achievement."

As previously reported, more than 130 nominations were received from MPs around the country who selected a pub chef from within their constituency for the awards.

A cook-off saw Ryan up against three other chefs in front of a panel of judges .

Charlotte Ponti, savoury foods manager at Nestle, said: "This yer's standards have been really impressive.

"Not only were the participants creative and technically excellent, they also demonstrated a strong work ethic and drive.

"It is exciting to see that there is such great talent in pubs with the promise of a bright future.

"All the finalists can be really proud of what they have achieved and we wish them lots of success."

Brigid Simmons, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, who organised the competition, said: "All of the finalists should feel very proud of what they have achieved. Pubs are increasingly home to some of the best British chefs which is very exciting for the future of our sector."