A NORTH Yorkshire man has made the finals of a contest in which MPs nominate pub chefs to find the best in the UK.

Oliver Farrar, of The Durham Ox in Crayke, near Thirsk, is one of just four national finalists in the Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year competition.

He was nominated by his MP Kevin Hollinrake and shortlisted this week after a rigorous judging panel selected the best entries from more than 130 nominations.

The competition is run by the British Beer and Pub Association and the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group in partnership with Nestlé Professional.

Eight finalists, four from the Parliamentary Pub chef and four from the Young Parliamentary Pub Chef categories, will go on to battle it out for the winning title at a cook-off event in Hospitality House, a training venue in London, on January 24.

They will cook for judges before winners are announced at an award ceremony in the House of Commons in February.

Chef Oliver said: “I'm absolutely blown away at having made it through to the cook-off. It's a real honour and I'm so happy to have this opportunity to compete in January. The Durham Ox is a great pub, serving some fantastic food with the wonderful array of local produce we have access to here in North Yorkshire.”

Kevin Hollinrake MP said: “The Durham Ox is a truly exceptional pub. I have spent many an evening there with friends and family. For me it has special significance as it was where I met my wife Nikky.

"What I like about the pub is that it is everything as pub should be. It sources local produce and the menu choice is second to none. I am truly lucky to have Oliver Farrar and his team within my constituency.”

The panel of expert judges included Paul Dickinson, director of food at Fuller’s; Andrej Prokes, executive chef at Nestlé Professional; Kate Hempsall, consultant to the beer and pub trade; and Dawn Redman, director at Hospitality Jobs UK.