A Hornchurch man came first place in a television cookery show after impressing the judges.

Ryan Philpot, 30, of Norman Road, entered the Channel 4 show Cookery School to learn more about cooking.

The new show offered expert advice on home cooking from Michelin-star chef and restaurateur Richard Corrigan and food writer Gizzi Erskine.

It also pitted contestants against each other to be able to remain in the school and learn more.

Mr Philpot, a senior financial analyst, cooked big, hearty and rustic food to win the show on Friday.

He said: “I still can’t quite believe I’ve won. It’s such an achievement for me and an experience I will never forget.”

Mr Philpot admits the show was a bit of a shock to his system because he initially thought he was a good home cook but said: “I found out very quickly that I still had a huge amount to learn.”

He said the competition was difficult at times and the other cooks were “phenomenal” but he felt he won the show because he was a good all rounder and consistently produced good plates of food.

“It was really tough sometimes and nothing prepares you for the pressure you feel under the time constraints.

“It was a competition but I saw it as a cookery school first and learning from a great chef like Richard Corrigan was just inspiring.”

Mr Philpot’s favourite dish that he cooked on the show was roast belly of pork, apple and celeriac puree and pickled apples.

He added: “I never thought I’d be deboning a guinea fowl or cooking with game birds. The skills and techniques I learned will stay with me for life.

“The most important thing I learned though was you have to cook with passion and taste your food at every stage.”