Christopher Basten is national chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs

The former vice chairman, who begins his three-year tenure, has pledged his support for the Guild and "working together for the common good".

Having been a CGC member since 1999, Basten has played an active role in the Guild’s culinary team competing in the Culinary World Cup competitions in 2002, 2006, 2010 and the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012, winning a host of medals. A classically trained chef, he learned much from apprenticeships with celebrated chefs John Burton-Race and Raymond Blanc where he gained Michelin star experience.

He has worked as an executive chef at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall and at Great Fosters in Egham, Surrey and is currently chef lecturer at Westminster Kingsway College in London, responsible for teaching the culinary arts to students.

Longstanding Craft Guild member Lee Maycock, who is chef director of his consulting business, was elected as national vice chairman.