TED Ruewell, head chef at Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel in Kingsbridge, Devon, has clinched a much coveted culinary trophy.

Just weeks after Buckland Tout-Saints, part of the Eden Hotel Collection, was awarded ‘Best Hotel’ at the South Devon Tourist and Hospitality Awards, Ted has won the fourth annual Battle of Eden title after going head-to-head with seven other talented chefs.

Eight exquisite dishes, each created by a chef from a different Eden hotel, were served to over 100 guests at Mallory Court Hotel, near Leamington Spa, on October 31st.

Eden’s Food and Beverage Director, Simon Haigh, introduced and explained each course without revealing its creator and, at the end of the evening, guests were asked to vote for their favourite.

Ted clinched his first Battle of Eden title with his winning dish of roasted scallop, truffled artichoke puree and anchovy beignet, after coming third last year with his chocolate cremeux, popcorn ice cream and chocolate soil creation.

Ted was presented with his trophy by Eden Hotel Collection owner Sir Peter Rigby. His prize included a tour of the Nyetimber vineyards in Sussex, an overnight stay at a hotel and dinner for two at a Michelin star restaurant.

Ted said of his win, ‘This is my fourth Battle of Eden and I honestly thought the food was the best it had ever been, which makes it even more memorable that I won! It is a great night and I love getting together with the other chefs and I am looking forward to next year with the hope of retaining my title’.

Gemma Edmonds, General Manager at Buckland added, I am extremely proud of Ted, he has taken the food at Buckland Tout-Saints from strength to strength and I feel that this is the recognition that he deserves for his commitment and ability. Well done, Chef Ted!

Second place at the Battle of Eden went to last year’s winner Adam Brown, head chef at Brockencote Hall, for his ‘beef with alliums’. Third place went to Abhijeet Dasalka, head chef at The Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, for his ‘tuna tartare with oriental flavours’.

Simon Haigh said: “The event had been highly anticipated thanks in part to our brilliant teaser trailer, which gave everyone a taste of what was to come, and this year’s competition once again produced some outstanding dishes.”

The Battle of Eden is Eden Hotel Collection’s most eagerly anticipated event and tops off a successful year for the company, who won ‘AA Small Hotel Group of the Year 2014-15’ at an awards ceremony in London in September.

The event was sponsored by Nyetimber, Robert Welch, Berkmann Wine Cellars, Rybrook Warwick and Bablake Wines.