A WINCHESTER chef has been nominated for a national award thanks to the city’s MP.

James Swaffield, 29, head chef at Greens Bar and Kitchen in Jewry Street, has been picked by Steve Brine MP as his nomination for the Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year award.

Run by the British Beer and Pub Association and the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, James now faces an expert panel of judges for a place in the finals of the awards.

Winchester born and bred, James has been a chef for 14 years.

He has worked in various restaurants and fine dining establishments throughout the UK, working his way up from scrubbing pots as a kitchen porter to his current position as head chef at Greens.

On taking part in his first competition, James said: “I’m honoured and very excited.

“I have just recently been promoted to head chef at Greens and I am starting to modernise the menu with a new team.”

Peter Neave, manager of Greens, said: “He’s the future of where I want to take Greens, with a new more dynamic menu and plenty of fresh ideas to take the pub forward.”

Steve Brine said: “I was delighted to nominate James for the award, and wish him all the very best for the next stage of what is a national competition.”

Greens Bar & Kitchen has been in Winchester for more than 25 years.

The family-run, independent venue serves fresh homemade food, breakfast and lunch, as well as a full nighttime bar and hand-crafted cocktails.