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Celebrity Chefs in Dorset

With such a good reputation for local produce, Dorset has attracted some of the UK's top chefs. The chefs below have given into temptation and set up restaurants and cookery schools in the area.

Mat Follas: Mat was crowned winner of the BBC's Masterchef programme in early 2009. After six weeks of heats, one week of semi-finals and a week of finals, Mat was awarded with his prestigious trophy. Since winning the programme, Mat, who has lived in West Dorset since 2002, opened The Wild Garlic restaurant in Beaminster.

Gary Rhodes: Gary started his culinary success by cooking a lemon sponge for his family at the age of 14. He went on to catering college in Kent and three years later found himself a job at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam. Gary owns two restaurants in Dorset, Rhodes South, in the grounds of the Christchurch Harbour Hotel and King Rhodes, also in Christchurch.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: Hugh is known for his earthy, back to basics approach to cooking. He has become a familiar face on TV with his River Cottage series on Channel 4. Hugh won the BBC's Food Personality of the Year in BBC Radio 4's 2008 Food and Farming Awards.

Mark Hix: Mark kicked off his catering career at Weymouth College. At the age of 18 he moved to London to work at the Hilton. In late 2007, he left his job as Chef-Director at Caprice Holdings in London to concentrate on his own projects. In June 2008, the Hix Oyster and Fish House opened on the coast in Lyme Regis.

Lesley Waters: Lesley is well known for her TV appearances on Ready Steady Cook, Can't Cook, Won't Cook and This Morning. In 2006, she opened her own institution, the Lesley Waters Cookery School located at Minterne House in West Dorset. Lesley has written several cookery books and currently hosts cookery days at her home in Dorset.