Hosrham chef Steven Edwards has been crowned winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2013.

The 27-year-old overcame tough competition in the final from Scottish duo Scott Davies and Adam Handling to be awarded the prestigious title.

The head chef of The Camellia, at South Lodge Hotel near Horsham, is the seventh holder of the title.

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He said: “It feels so surreal. I don’t know what to say, apart from thank you.

“I’m exceptionally happy, I can’t believe it. This is what dreams are made of, isn’t it?

“I don’t know how to describe how I’m feeling, it means so much.

These kinds of things don’t seem to happen to me. It just feels unbelievable.”

The father of two impressed across the six weeks of competition, receiving consistent high praise from double Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr, chef Monica Galetti and MasterChef’s seasoned diner Gregg Wallace.

Mr Roux Jr said: “Steven has done incredibly well throughout this competition. He’s expressed himself to the full. His food is lovely. He makes food that is great to eat, expertly cooked, presented with certain elegance, clean lines – and it works. Fault free.”

The finals week saw the trio head to Modena, Italy, to cook in Osteria Francescana, voted the third best restaurant in the world.

Mr Edwards again impressed under the tutorage of eccentric head chef Massimo Bottura.

However, his toughest test was to |follow when he was tasked with cooking for the country’s top chefs at a special London banquet.

He again shone, receiving praise from multiple Michelin-starred chefs.

Thursday evening’s final showdown saw him tasked with cooking a luxury three-course meal for the show’s regular judges.

He served up a starter of Anjou pigeon breast with roasted baby beetroot, caramelised feta dice, apple compote, watercress and a beetroot vinaigrette followed by a main of pan-fried stone bass on a bed of tomato and parmesan orzo, with pureed poached and blackened Kohlrabi and a lime foam.

His dessert was a honey cake topped with honeycomb, with poached peaches, peach compote, roast peach puree, yoghurt espuma, a pistachio crumb and thyme syrup.

Speaking after the final, Gregg Wallace said: “I think these three are super, super talented. I’m really impressed. I couldn’t have wished for a better competition. But for me it’s easy – Steven’s were the best dishes on the day.”

Mr Edwards lives in Horsham with his wife Laura and his children, two-and-a half-year-old Scarlett and one-year-old Kyan.

The Argus will be sitting down with the champion on Monday for next week’s Your Interview. Send your questions for him to ben.james@theargus.co.uk.

See the interview |in The Argus on Friday.