FORMER Masterchef champion Mat Follas is in the running for a top award months after opening a new restaurant in Dorchester.

The chef is in the running for recognition in the South West Chef of the Year Awards after being chosen as one of 16 semi-finalists in the professional class.

Mat started his new venture at the Casterbridge Hotel in High East Street in March.

The restaurant serves 25 covers on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The 2009 Masterchef winner’s previous ventures include the Wild Garlic at Beaminster, the Talbot Inn at Iwerne Minster and the Chesil Beach Cafe.

Mat was shortlisted for the competition after impressing the judges with his menu, which he said reflects the food he has been producing at The Casterbridge while also pushing boundaries in terms of trying new things and looking forward to what will be in season come October.

He said he was ‘chuffed’ to be recognised in such a keenly fought competition.

Mat said: “I was chuffed because they had a record number of entries, so to get to the semis I was really quite flattered.”

Mat is the only Dorset chef on the shortlist for the South West Chef of the Year competition and faces stiff competition from other leading chefs from around the region.

Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, who is on the illustrious panel of judges with a host of other leading chefs such as Dorset’s Mark Hix, said the standard of entries for the competition was ‘exceptional’.

He said: “The standard of entries was exceptional this year with entrants putting a lot of thought into their chosen menus and creating dishes that really impressed the judges on paper.

“South West Chef of the Year is a prestigious award which is held in high regard by chefs and restaurateurs in the region.

“The line-up of semi-finalists reflects the importance within the industry of competing in, and winning, this award.”

The semi-finalists will cook their chosen menus for the judging panel on Saturday, October 11, when they will be given just an hour-and-a-half to prepare their two-course menu.

Cooking under pressure and against the clock is something Mat experienced during his Masterchef days but he recognises he will be up against much tougher opposition this time round.

He said: “It’s different because when I did Masterchef I was a home cook and here I’m up against professionals.”

If Mat is successful in the semi final he will go through to the final, which begins on October 27.