TWO Shrivenham-based chefs are celebrating after winning gold medals in a national catering competition.

James Baker and Edward Beachey both work for the specialist defence catering company ESS at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham.

Edward, 30, from Highworth, took gold in the Mystery Basket category.

James, 18, from Aldbourne, won gold medals and best in class in two categories, including Junior Chef of the Year.

The annual Salon Culinaire contest took place at Birmingham College of Food.

James's winning dish was breast of chicken, stuffed with cranberry and pancetta mousseline with puree of root vegetables, glazed asparagus and tarragon jus.

He said: "This was my first time at Salon Culinaire so to win two gold medals is unbelievable."

James also won gold in the Mystery Basket category.

At the same competition Longcot catering manager Andrew Cramphorn also struck gold. He works at the Defence School of Languages in Beaconsfield and won the Themed Table Setting category. Andrew, 24, beat his rivals with a table setting on the theme of The Seven Deadly Sins. He said: "I wanted to go for something that would be funky and challenging to put together. I was really pleased to win and I'm already starting to get some ideas together for next year's competition."