A YOUNG chef at a popular Lake District inn and restaurant has won a prestigious national award at his second attempt.

Arthur Bridgeman Quin, from the Punch Bowl Inn & Restaurant at Crosthwaite, has won the 2017 William Heptinstall Award.

The award was first established in 1972 in memory of well-known British chef William Heptinstall to enable a young chef to widen their culinary experience while travelling outside the UK.

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The winner receives financial support to experience the cuisine of their chosen area as well as undertaking stages – or work experience – in their chosen restaurants overseas.

Arthur, 21, from Bentham, and a previous UK Young Chef of the Year winner, intends to use the award to travel to and spend time in different areas of France.

“The amount I stand to learn from this opportunity is incredible and you only have to look at the standard of previous winners to see what can be achieved after winning this award," he said.

“There’s no doubt that I’ll be pushing myself out of my comfort zone but I’ve always wanted to travel and for me, France is a perfect choice as it’s the home of proper classical cooking. This is certainly an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day and I’ll look forward to planning it – and learning French - over the next 18 months.”

Arthur will now have to put together a draft travel plan for the charity trustees, which will include the names of the establishments where he proposes to work and study, and will then have up to two years to take the trip.

Richard Rose, owner of Punch Bowl Inn, supported Arthur throughout the different stages of the awards process.

He said: “We’re all delighted that Arthur has won this award and will have the chance to spend time working with some of the best culinary expertise in France. He’s built a strong team at the Punch Bowl and the extra knowledge of both food and culture he will bring back will be of great value to us.”