The head chef at one of the UK’s top sports grounds is in the running for a prestigious award.

Gareth Billington, executive head chef at Goodison Park – home to Everton Football Club – has been shortlisted in the People’s Choice category of the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs awards, which acknowledge standards of excellence within the industry.

Gareth made the finals after being nominated by chefs across the UK and will now join more than 700 of the industry’s elite for the awards presentations at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London on Wednesday 1 June.

“It is a genuine honour to be a finalist in these awards,” said Gareth, “as it is always very special to achieve recognition from my peers within the industry.

“I know I will be up against some steep competition from the other finalists, but may the best man, or woman, win.”

And, as well as providing match and non-match day hospitality for the thousands of annual visitors at Goodison Park, Billington has provided the catering at events such as Royal Ascot and the Olympics and Paralympic Games 2012.

Under his leadership members of his team took the gold medal in the Contract Catering/Football Stadia category in the Salon Culinaire contest for professionals working in the catering industry and were named ‘Best In Class’ in the Major International Contract Catering/Football Stadia award category in 2013.