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We are delighted to announce that Stephen Hope of The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, was crowned The Gordon Ramsay Scholar 2008 after four days of fierce competition.

Stephen was announced as the winner following an exceptional performance at the competition final on Saturday 29th November at the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Forty semi-finalists, representing the greatest young culinary talent from the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, were chosen to compete at the live finals (27th - 30th November) following a rigorous selection process.

The final event saw five days of cooking heats in front of a live audience followed by presentations, each judged by the carefully selected panel of chefs including Gordon Ramsay Holdings Executive Chef Mark Askew and Angela Hartnett.

As the winner of the 2008 Scholarship, Stephen has been awarded an impressive array of prizes including a VW car, £5000, being mentored over the coming year by Gordon and his team and an all expenses paid week long placement in each of Gordon's signature restaurants; Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Royal Hospital Road, Gordon Ramsay at The London NYC and Gordon Ramsay at The Trianon Palace, Versailles.

Winner: Stephen Hope, The Merchant Hotel

2nd Place: Daniel Birk, Rudding Park Hotel

College Scholar Winner: Tony Bee, Blackpool and Fylde College