A NORTH-EAST chef beat off competition and served up a winning meal yesterday.

Chris Kindlan, of Newcastle, was awarded the title of GNER Chef of the Year 2002 for his three-course meal at the annual competition held in York. He follows last year's winner, Peter Jordan, who is also from Newcastle and who helped to judge this year's event.

Mr Kindlan was presented with the Paul Taylor Trophy, in memory of the GNER chef who won the competition in 2000, but who died in the Selby rail disaster in 2001.

Yesterday's event took place in the Festival Food Theatre, in St Sampson's Square, as part of the ten-day York Festival of Food and Drink, which runs until Sunday, September 22.

Mr Kindlan beat Rob Tomkins, of Peterborough, Neil Storer, of Leeds, and Colin Pattie, of Edinburgh, with his "Best of British" meal for four people which could be served on a GNER train.

John Dykes, GNER catering manager, said: "This competition gives our chefs the chance to demonstrate their professionalism, skill and imagination.

"It is a competitive and enjoyable event which does help to show how the quality of food prepared and served on trains has been transformed."

Mr Kindlan impressed judges with his winning feast of smoked haddock and asparagus tart, followed by stuffed chicken breast with caramelised shallots in malt whisky and, for dessert, pear and root ginger charlotte with lime cream.

A spokesman for GNER said: "It was a very closely contested event and nerves were tested as they competed to a very high standard in front of an audience of over 100 people."