A HEDGE END chef has scooped first prize in a culinary competition after whipping up a feast to tantalise the taste buds.

Mark Hill, 37, of Malvern Gardens in Grange Park, wowed judges with his delicious dishes when he jetted out to Las Vegas to take part in an international competition.

An executive chef at leading business caterers Eurest for Shell International, based in south London, Mark commutes to the capital and commands a team of 16 chefs catering for more than 3,000 people each day.

For the prestigious contest, he had to devise an array of innovative meals, all containing the Californian raisin.

From king scallops with a California raisin onion cream to roast saddle of rabbit filled with a California raisin, olive and tomato farce, Mark's dishes went down a treat with the judges.

He said: "Our dishes were designed specifically to stand out and provide the judges with something different."

The team scooped the Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger prize for the best overall team and also walked away with an individual prize in the fine dining category.