Top TV chef Michael Caines MBE has offered the winner of BBC Two's MasterChef a job at his award-winning Devon restaurant.
Caines announced on Tuesday that James Nathan has accepted work experience at his two-Michelin starred restaurant at the Gidleigh Park Hotel near Chagford.
"James is very keen to work at Gidleigh Park and he is coming down for a 'stage' as soon as he is free from his commitments with MasterChef," said Caines.
"He is an exceptional cook and we would like to give him the opportunity to reach his goal of becoming a world class chef."
Nathan, a former barrister, was crowned the winner of MasterChef 2008 on Thursday 28 February.
Michael Caines: "He is an exceptional cook and we would like to give him the opportunity to reach his goal of becoming a world class chef."
After six weeks of heats, a week of gruelling semi-finals and a week of finals, Nathan was named the victor by judges and presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
The 34-year-old won the judges over with his tasty main course of pickled red cabbage and venison infused with lapsang souchong tea and served with roast potatoes.
This was followed by a delicious chocolate and orange pudding.
"Winning MasterChef has completely changed the shape of my life. It was probably the most nerve-racking but exhilarating experience that I have ever had or am ever likely to have,” said Nathan.
"John and Gregg were the most fantastic mentors - they helped us negotiate our way through the culinary world.
"It's a great honour to get this opportunity and I'm absolutely going to make the most of it."
Torode said of James: "Sheer determination has pushed James to the fore. His food knowledge and ability to adapt to each and every situation, and truly learn along the way makes James the deserved winner.
"What a cook - we're proud and confident that James can truly make it as a professional - that is what MasterChef is all about, making it as a professional."
Wallace added: "James is the most driven, focused and talented amateur cook it has been my pleasure to observe. When you're watching James cook, it's easy to forget that this man is not a professional."
Nathan, from Bristol, beat fellow finalists Jonny Stevenson and Emily Ludolf to the coveted cooking crown.
Gidleigh Park is a beautiful country house hotel set on the banks of the North Teign River in the Dartmoor National Park.
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