A WORCESTER chef is through to the final in a national cooking contest after scoring a try with his scrumptious dishes.

Worcester Rugby Club chef, Kevin Harford, is in the regional finals of the Patak Curry Chef of the Year competition.

Judges were bowled over by his pickled seafood kebabs and coriander pancakes, followed by curried vegetables and lemon rice.

"His dishes were mouth-watering. I'm sure he will do well in the rest of the contest," said one of the judges, Coun Don Lawley.

The heat was organised by Wychavon District Council's environmental health team to help build on the council's relationship with local restaurants.

Runner-up was Azir Uddin, chef at the Raj Tandoor in Queen Street, Droitwich.