THE Sun Inn is looking for Basingstoke’s next top chef.

The award-winning country pub in Dummer, is running a Masterchef-style competition with catering students studying at Basingstoke College of Technology.

Students will compete in a two heat challenge at the end of June, demonstrating their skills and expertise in the kitchen to impress landlord and head chef Gordon Stott.

One challenge includes preparing a two-course meal for guests of The Society of St James, a charity that supports homeless people in Hampshire.

Diners will donate money based on what they feel the meal is worth, with all proceeds going to the charity.

The winning chef will be crowned The Sun Inn Master Chef 2015 and receive a prize provided by catering equipment supplier Nisbets, and a meal for two at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Gordon knows only too well the challenges of making a successful career in the food and drink industry.

Having joined The Sun Inn as sous chef in 2010, 18 months later, at the age of 20, he was appointed landlord and head chef, becoming one of the youngest people in the country to hold this dual position.

More recently, Gordon was a finalist in the INSPIRE Awards 2014 for the Young Business Person of the Year category.

He hopes the competition will encourage aspiring chefs to follow in his footsteps.

He said: “With over 15 per cent of the UK’s unemployed aged 16-24, it’s not easy for young people leaving college to find a stable career.

“Having been there myself, I want to show young chefs that with self-belief, hard work and determination, they can achieve great things.”

Duncan Brammall, head of hospitality and catering at BCoT, said: “The competition will provide our learners with the opportunity to show off their culinary skills, so the heat will definitely be on in our kitchens! “Hopefully this experience will provide a valuable springboard for our students as they progress from college into the world of work and full-time employment.”