THE executive chef in charge of the kitchens at the Michelin-starred restaurant at Langho's Northcote Hotel has been nominated for a top national award.

Lisa Goodwin-Allen is on the ten-strong shortlist to be named the UK's 'Chef’s Chef of the Year 2019'.

The winner will be selected from the shortlist by their culinary peers and announced at the AA Hospitality Awards on Monday September 23 at London's Grosvenor House in London.

The ceremony will be hosted by the BBC's Kate Silverton.

A second Lancashire chefs - Mark Birchall of Moor Hall near Ormskirk is also on the shortlist which includes chefs from Edinburgh, London, Wales and Cornwall.

Mrs Goodwin-Allen took over the reins of Northcote's kitchens in October 2017 when Nigel Haworth stepped back having worked there since 2001when she was just 20.

At the age of 23 she was named head chef, one of the youngest to take on the role in a Michelin starred kitchen.

Since then she has helped to maintain the restaurant’s Michelin Star which it has held for over 20 years in total.

Mrs Goodwin-Allen said: “It’s a real honour to be shortlisted among some amazingly talented chefs.

"What makes it even more special is that the votes have come from other chefs.

"You work hard at what you do as a chef, so when it is recognised by others doing the same it really means a lot.

"Food is very emotive and I love re-visiting some of the classics.

“It’s about taking local produce and putting my twist on it – working with the seasons, to bring out the best of every product to create new exciting dishes."

Mrs Goodwin-Allen served her rabbit and leek turnover to Prince Charles at a banquet celebrating the National Trust as part of BBC Two’s Great British Menu which she won in 2010.

She was also a chef mentor on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2015, a judge on Masterchef: The Professionals in 2017 and Masterchef 2018

She is married with a young son.

The award, introduced in 1996, offers all AA Rosette-awarded chefs the chance to decide which of their peers deserves the ultimate recognition for their performance over the past twelve months.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, commented: “The Chef’s Chef of the Year Award gives chefs a unique opportunity to recognise and honour their peers."