AN ABERDOUR chef who started working in a kitchen when he was just 13-years-old has been named of one of Scotland's top rising culinary stars.

Daniel Phillips, who works at Room with a View, has reached the final 10 in the ScotHot Awards Champion Chef category and has been named as one of the event's 50 Rising Stars.

The 18-year-old had visited the restaurant when he was 11-years-old with his family and knew immediately that he wanted a role there but on asking the head chef he was told to return when he was a bit older.

Now he has designed the entire dessert menu himself, favouring chocolate and caramel flavours which he says are a hit with guests.

He said: "I enjoy that side of it, using my own creativity to make up dishes.

"For the last year it's been my own, I'm happy they've given me that opportunity."

Daniel was nominated for the contest by Hannah Norman, who runs Room with a View, and thinks he stood out to judges due to "working hard and helping during COVID".

The young chef left school two years ago and has been working full-time in the restaurant since, having worked part-time while a pupil and completing an apprenticeship with Fife College through his work.

Ms Norman said: "He (Daniel) is an exceptional chef and deserves this more than anyone we know.

"He is very talented and enthusiastic for his age and we are very proud of him at Room with a View."

The teenager first got into cooking as a youngster when he would help his mum while baking.

She will be attending an awards ceremony with him at the SEC in Glasgow next week.

A judging panel of industry leaders considered over 200 applications for their top 50 list which comprises Hospitality Heroes, Champion Chefs, Tourism Trendsetters, as well as those Rising Up in Retail and Brilliant in Beverage.

Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events, the company responsible for ScotHot, said: "Seeing so many worthy individuals nominated for our 50 Rising Stars list was incredible, and it was a tough decision for us judges to pick our top 50.

"We would like to say a huge congratulations from all of us at ScotHot to those who made the 50 Rising Stars list – we are so looking forward to seeing you at the event in March and celebrating your achievements together."