A forces chef beat off international competition to win a gold medal in the Culinary World Cup.

Richard Bowden, head chef for Eurest Defence Support Services at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, travelled to Luxembourg as part of the Compass Group Culinary Team to compete against 800 cooks from over 30 countries.

The 38-year-old's medal-winning performance was in the restaurant plates category, where he cooked a five-course meal of game, fish, sorbet, lamb and chocolate tart. He also prepared a three-course meal, with dishes including chicken, white chocolate mousse and stuffed rabbit.

Mr Bowden is part of a catering team which prepares 1,000 meals a day.