A CHEF at a five-star hotel near Darlington has been accepted as a full member of the Master Chefs of Great Britiain.

Aaron Craig, an executive chef at Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, heads up The Brasserie restaurant and New Hall dining, has worked at the golfing resort for five years.

The association has an exclusive membership made up of some of the most notable head chefs around the country.

The MCGB’s main aims are the training and development of young chefs and the promotion of the best produce available in Britain.

Before joining Rockliffe Hall, Mr Craig, who lives in Richmond, has worked as head chef in a number of critically acclaimed restaurants, as well as at Heston Blumenthal’s three Michelin Star Fat Duck.

Mr Craig is an advocate for local food producers and works with Darlington College, most recently partnering with catering students there for the hotel’s Aspiring Chef of the Year.

He said: “I am delighted to have been accepted as a full member of this elite group of chefs."