An Aberystwyth chef has made it through to the National Chef of Wales contest final in the new year after closely contested semi-finals.

Nathan Davies, 25, head chef at the Belle Vue Royal Hotel, is joined in the final by Benjamin Taylor, 34, head chef and Thomas Westerland, 24, chef de partie, both from the Michelin starred Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa at Colerne, near Chippenham and Jack Davison, 23, sous chef from Deganwy Quay Hotel and Spa, Deganwy, who was runner up in the final two years ago.

Nathan, who was making his competition debut, confessed to being “gobsmacked” when his name was read out in the top four.

“I am chuffed to bits,” he said. “We have worked hard on the dishes and every single time I think I could have done better. I can’t wait for the final now and it would amazing to win.”

Nathan trained in Cardigan and worked in London restaurants and France as a private chef followed by a spell at Stephen Terry’s restaurant The Hardwick in Abergavenny, and Ynyshir Hall near Machynlleth under chef Gareth Ward.

See next week’s south editions for the full story