A TASTE of the toon army saw Geordie chef Peter Jordan crowned GNER Chef of the Year at the York Festival of Food.

The competition challenges chefs to come up with a Best Of British meal for four, using lamb, beef or pork for the main course.

Held each year at the festival, of which the Evening Press is a sponsor, the chefs cook in front of an audience and have two hours to prepare the meal.

Peter's winning dishes were based on a north-eastern theme, and included a starter of Stottie bruschetta followed by a main course of loin of pork Lindisfarne.

His crowning glory, however, was the unique 'taste of the toon army' - black and white pudding - named after the nickname of his beloved Newcastle United Football Club. Peter was presented with the Paul Taylor trophy, in memory of last year's winner - also from Newcastle - who died in the Great Heck rail disaster.

Peter said: "I am very thrilled and honoured. Being a chef from Newcastle I am very pleased to have succeeded my colleague Paul Taylor as the winner of this competition."

Updated: 11:18 Tuesday, September 18, 2001