A MASTERCHEF champion has opened his first restaurant – and it is in his home town.

Kenny Tutt, who won the 2018 series of the BBC cooking show, was in attendance to greet guests at the launch of Pitch in Warwick Street, Worthing.

Guests were welcomed with drinks and canapes.

The idea for a restaurant had been in the works since Kenny’s won MasterChef.

He impressed the judges with his high quality cooking and became a favourite among the viewing public as well.

Kenny, 36, hails from Worthing and has previously spoken of his fondness for his home town.

The menu at Pitch displays the talent that Kenny showed off on MasterChef.

Items on the menu include savoury doughnuts, turbot from the Sussex coast

and herb-roasted chicken breast.

The restaurant spans two floors and includes a private dining room.

Kenny hopes the top floor will eventually be home to the Pitch Cookery School, which may be opening later in the year.

Prior to winning MasterChef, father-of-two Kenny was focusing on his career as a bank manager.

Kenny said opening his own restaurant had been his dream ever since he was young and cooked alongside his mother in the family kitchen.

The site was previously home to an Italian restaurant, Nonna’s.

To find out more about Pitch visit www.pitchrestaurant.co.uk