Capital hotel chef nets seafood title

A LOCAL chef was today celebrating after being crowned Young Scottish Seafood Chef of the Year.

Nico Simeone (third from the left), 20, from the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, triumphed over five other finalists – (from left) Martin Carabutt, Adam Newth, Stuart Ritchie, Jamie McDiarmid and Gavin Fitzpatrick.

His prize includes a trophy, a trip to Lyon in January 2011 to see the world's top chefs in action at the Bocuse d'Or competition, and the opportunity to cook for First Minister Alex Salmond.