Petts Wood chef Ashok Kumar has beaten competition from across the country to make it to the final of the National Chef of the Year 2022.

The Head Chef of Petts Wood hotspot Indian Essence by Atul Kochhar will go shoulder to shoulder with nine other hopefuls to win this prestigious culinary title in the event’s golden anniversary.

The National Chef of the Year Finale will take place at London’s Le Cordon Bleu on Monday, September 19, 2022, with the winner being revealed at a VIP event at The Berkeley the same evening.

Kumar, who has worked alongside the Michelin-star chef and TV celebrity Atul Kochhar for a number of years, cooked up a variety of dishes to judges, including Scottish Scallops, Chettinad Masala, Sesame Sunflower Seed, Kumquat & Apricot; Juniper Berry Garam Masala Venison Haunch, and Venison Liver Biryani, Sauté Sorrel & Oyster Mushrooms.

He beat off 39 other semi-finalists to get down to the final ten.

For the 50th year of the national cooking competition, the chefs were asked to create an amuse bouche style signature dish to reflect their own favourite style of cooking.

Confirmed by this year’s Chair of Judges, Great British Menu star Kenny Atkinson – Kumar will take his place in the final alongside

• Cleverson Cordeiro Head Chef at Frog by Adam Handling

• London; Ben Drake, Head Chef at The Elephant Restaurant

• Devon; Iain Gourlay Head Chef at Cringletie House Hotel

 • Scottish Borders; April Lily Partridge Sous Chef at The Ledbury

• London; Matthew Smith Head Chef at Inver Restaurant & Rooms

 • Argyll & Bute; Adam Smith, Head Chef at Gravetye Manor

• West Sussex; Gary Townsend, Head Chef at One Devonshire Gardens

• Glasgow and Grahame Wickham, Head Chef at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Alongside the other chefs, Kumar will serve up a three-course menu from the initial entry stage, considering any seasonal tweaks.

Ashok Kumar said: “I am honoured to be part of this year’s National Chef of the Year final and to be representing not only myself but the whole team at Indian Essence in Petts Wood.

“Cooking alongside such a talented line up of fellow professional chefs has been a fantastic experience and I can’t wait to showcase all of my skills in the final.”