Gerald Röser took on the prestigious role following the milestone 25th anniversary of the Master Chefs, which was marked with a celebrity event in London.

Gerald, who has served on the Master Chefs' executive committee for many years and been vice president for the past three years, takes on a variety of responsibilities, which include organising the association's annual lunch.

He is planning to stage it in Wales for the first time in order to raise the profile of the Master Chefs outside London and the Home Counties.

A well-known face on the East Sussex dining scene, Gerald has been head chef at the Mirabelle at the Grand Hotel for nearly six years.

The Mirabelle's accolades include two red AA rosettes and the restaurant is regularly ranked among the country's top restaurants in the fine dining bible, The Which? Good Food Guide.

Before moving to the Mirabelle, Gerald ran his own restaurant in Hastings for 18 years, which also won accolades and was consistently featured in all the major food guides.

Gerald took over as chairman of the Master Chefs of Great Britain at the silver jubilee lunch held at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel.

The event was attended by 350 guests including celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, one of the first members to be made a Fellow of the Master Chefs of Great Britain in recognition of his outstanding culinary ability.

Gerald said, "It is a very exciting time to take over as chairman.

"Over the past 25 years the Master Chefs of Great Britain has gone from strength to strength and helped put British cuisine firmly on the map.

"I am looking forward to a busy time ahead and planning the annual lunch that takes place in November."

>> >> Vote in our latest web poll.