Chef wins Britain's Best Dish with chocolate tart

Chris Ohalloran, chef-owner of the restaurant at the Green Inn, Ballater, clinched the title over more than 100 others with a bittersweet chocolate cake tart served alongside cinnamon ice cream and cookies.

Ohalloran has held a string of senior positions over the past 20 years, having trained at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s renowned hotel near Oxford.

The Green Inn’s food is influenced by his background and he has helped it achieve three AA rosettes for culinary excellence among a wealth of high-profile recommendations.

It is owned by Ohalloran and his parents, who run the B&B side.

“It was absolutely superb to win,” he said. “When I was invited to be part of the competition I was confident I would get through the first stage. I was over the moon to win Scotland’s best dessert, and anything after that was a bonus. It has helped the business — the phone doesn’t stop ringing.”

Ross Pike, of the British Larder, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, was second.

A total of 110 of the UK’s top chefs competed in the contest, which was run in collaboration with the Good Food Guide.