Global award for Northern Ireland born chef

Northern Ireland born Clare Smyth - the first British female chef to hold and retain three Michelin stars - has been named the world's 'best female chef' by the World's 50 Best Restaurants' judges.

Clare, who grew up on a family farm near Bushmills in county Antrim, set up her own high-end restaurant in London, Core, in 2017.

She was chef patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea from 2012 to 2016, where she held the top accolade of three Michelin stars.

Core, her first restaurant venture, is located in Kensington and specialises in seasonal British seasonal ingredients.

Her first steps on a journey to success in Britain were taken around Bushmills, home of the famed Irish whiskey distillery. She worked in restaurants there during her school holidays before going to study in Portsmouth.

It's the first time the award has gone to a British chef, with previous winners including Anne-Sophie Pic, who opened her first London restaurant - La Dame de Pic - at The Four Seasons in Tower Hill last year.

Clare says: "It's an absolute honour to receive the Vodka World's Best Female Chef Award, particularly as the category is voted for by my peers and international food experts. This accolade is not for me but for all the women working in the hospitality industry around the world. I hope to use this platform to encourage and mentor more women to achieve success."

Smyth was given an MBE in 2013. Core was named 'Best Restaurant' at the GQ Food & Drink Awards in April.