A NEWPORT chef is battling it out with the crème de la crème in Wales to be crowned the nation's top chef.

Carl Hammett, 36, a sous chef at the Chandlery in Lower Dock Street, is through to the semi-finals of the National Chef of Wales 2008.

He is facing off against five of Wales' top chefs, from Swansea to Bangor, all competing for the coveted title and £2,000 prize money.

Mr Hammett is looking to go one better than his last attempt at the competition, when he finished as runner-up in 2000.

He qualified for the semi finals after sending in a menu for a three-course meal for four people, which is scrutinised by a panel of judges who choose six semi-finalists whose menus show innovation and use seasonal produce.

Mr Hammett, who has been working in kitchens since he was 17, will battle it out with the other semi-finalists next week, when they will each prepare their menu for a panel of judges.

Four will then make it through to February's final in Rhos-on-Sea and the winner will be cooking their menu for 120 guests at a presentation dinner in Llandudno in May.

Mr Hammett, of Ringwood Hill, said: "I was excited, very pleased because it's been a while since I've done it."

He said winning the competition would realise a goal he's had for a long time: "It will be a long life dream I've always wanted ever since I got the buzz," he said.