A MONMOUTH chef who once cooked for Prince Charles and Diana was named the outright winner of the region's premier cook-off last week, writes Keith Fairbank.

Local chef Jason Jackson, who launched Pilgrim's Bistro on Church Street last April, won the Savour the Wye main course award for his creation; partridge in a fruit tree.

The Local Food Awards, sponsored by the Wye Valley Brewery and organised by the Wye Valley AONB, were set up last year to encourage and promote support the use of local ingredients.

On winning, Jason said: "I was very impressed with the standard of food served, and it was a fantastic opportunity to take part in something that celebrates the use of local food and produces. This is something Pilgrim's advocates.

Chief judge on the day was Franco Taruschio, formerly of the internationally renowned Walnut Tree Inn near Aber-gavenny, who said: "The quality of local food is, simply, the best. You can tell from the taste, even the look of it, from the apples, to the game and the beef."

Formerly, Jason was in the Navy for 14 years and was seconded as a chef from HMS Active to serve Charles and Diana. He used Llantony Valley partridge, butter from Bower Farm Dairy in Grosmont, and honey from Monmouth's Wye Valley Apiaries for his winning dish.

The rich variety of local food available was demonstrated by the five chosen finalists. Jason was the only one currently working on this side of the border, beating off competition from four quality venues in Herefordshire.

The Savour the Wye awards are now set to become a regular feature of the food calendar, with the next competition scheduled for 2008.

Wye Valley AONB development officer Catherine Fookes said: "As a result of these inaugural awards, we should see more local produce in Wye Valley restaurants and cafs.

"This is good news for the landscape and farmers in the AONB. I hope the next Savour the Wye Awards, in 2008, attract just as much enthusiasm and professionalism."