A WORCESTERSHIRE chef who a short time ago was facing Christmas without a job is now back in the kitchen and in the running for a leading award.

Ian Smith, aged 44, is hoping to be crowned best pub chef in the country in March.

He also has a new job in a kitchen he plans to make renowned for the quality of dishes made with locally-sourced produce.

It is an amazing turnout in fortunes for Mr Smith. Just a month he was put out of work when the Fountain Hotel, Tenbury Wells, where he worked, suddenly closed.

The hotel at St Michael’s had won an reputation for its award-winning food but closed down after going into receivership.

Ian, who has been a chef for 25 years, was facing Christmas without a job when a conversation with Martin and Heather Visser, owners of the Peacock Inn, Tenbury, changed everything.

He said: “It was a scary time being out of a job, especially at this time of year and with three children.

“I made as many enquiries as I could around the town and let it be known I was looking for work.

“I sat down with Martin and Heather and we had a long chat about where we could take the Peacock food-wise. I’m really looking forward to getting back in the kitchen.”

The first priority for Ian and his new team will be to take care of the Peacock’s Christmas bookings. The pub is even offering to accommodate anyone who had booked with the Fountain.

In the new year Ian hopes to help launch a new menu featuring local suppliers and produce. He is one of three chefs from around the country to have been shortlisted for the Pub Chef Excellence Awards in the global cuisine category.

If he is successful he will go forward to the grand final in London in March and be in with a chance of winning the top award.

He and other staff at the Fountain discovered they had lost their jobs when they arrived at work a month ago and found themselves locked out. There was a closed sign on the door.

Mr Visser said Ian had a good reputation and shared his vision for the pub’s future.