Chef and former Matravers pupil Josh Bingham was awarded the highest achiever title in the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards on September 18 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London.

The 23-year-old works at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford and scored an unmatched 90 per cent to become the highest achiever in the 2013 graduate awards.

His parents Dean and Cath Bingham own the Snooty Fox in Warminster, where his brothers Zack, 21, and Kai, 18, also work as chefs, and Mr Bingham himself has been cooking ever since he was 14.

The awards are designed to take what chefs under the age of 23 have learnt at college and in the workplace to the next level, with candidates required to score 85 per cent to pass.

Mr Bingham said: “It was a bit of a shock to get the highest achiever, as there was a guy I work with who was also in contention and I thought he had it, but to hear my name was great.

“I put a lot of hard work and preparation in before the final exam, so I’m glad it paid off. The standards are so high, but I did feel happy with how I did when I finished the exam.

“My aim is to have my own place eventually, but I would like to travel first and see some restaurants around the world in countries like Australia and America.”

Mum Mrs Bingham said: “I’m very proud of what he has achieved, as he does work hard and has worked in Michelin star kitchens since he was 16.”