A GLASGOW chef is the toast of Scotland after triumphing in the prestigious Scottish Italian Awards.
Chris Rouse, head chef at Celino's in the city's east end, was crowned Best Chef at a ceremony in Glasgow.
He beat hundreds of hopefuls to make it to the final judging session, where he had to cook in front of celebrity chef and restaurateur Aldo Zilli.
Zilli, who also judged the best pizza category won by La Favorita in Edinburgh, said: "It has been incredible to be part of this judging process, to see how passionate Italian chefs are here in Scotland, and it was hard to make a decision."
He added: "Everybody has a favourite Italian, and the Scottish Italian Awards has made people shout about it."
Organiser Warren Paul, who will launch the English Italian Awards next year, said: "The Scottish Italian community is huge and Italians are fiercely competitive, which makes this such an interesting competition.
"The public's involvement in choosing our finalists - 30,000 people voted in the run-up to the finals - makes this a truly national event, allowing us to really showcase the best Italian restaurants in Scotland."
More than 700 people attended the gala dinner at the Thistle Hotel. Britain's Got Talent star Edward Reid and musical theatre school GAMTA provided entertainment and the evening included a charity auction in aid of Enable Scotland.
Glasgow's restaurants and delicatessens picked up nine of the 18 awards.
Celino's also won the title Best Bistro, while Crolla's Gelateria on Byres Road won Best Ice Cream Parlour and Pietro's Deli on Tollcross Road picked up the Favourite Italian Business award.
Eusebi Deli, on Shettleston Road, won two prizes - Best Deli and Best Marketing Team, while Toni's Pizzeria in Giffnock won Best Newcomer. The award for Best Wine List went to Capo Landa in Muirhead, and La Lanterna, on Hope Street, won Scotland's Best Team.
Interior designer John Amabile helped judge one of this year's newest categories, Best Restaurant Design, which was won by Divino Enoteca in Edinburgh.
A surprise lifetime achievement award went to Tony Pierotti, owner of the Piccolo Mondo restaurants in Glasgow and Renfrew.
Mr Paul said: "Tony is loved in Glasgow and across Scotland and after 50 years is still delivering some of the best fresh Italian food around.
"He is still very hands on, helping his son Emilio to run the business, and making sure his customers get the best food and patter in the country.
"There is no-one more deserving of this award."
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