by Rachael Woods

A Whitstable chef has joined the ranks of the culinary greats and seen his restaurant enter a top 50 list sprinkled with the names of celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal.

The Good Food Guide 2010 ranks The Sportsman at Seasalter at number 46 in a list of top 50 restaurants in the UK, with a score of six out of 10. It is the only Kent entry to make it on the list.

Its chef, 48-year-old Stephen Harris, tasted further success when he was named as best chef in the guide’s Editors’ Awards. Mr Harris is described in the guide as "brilliant" and "idiosyncratic".

He told the Gazette: "I was a bit surprised by it but really happy. Getting a place in the top 50 is great. I’m really pleased to be so highly regarded."

Elizabeth Carter, editor of the Good Food Guide said: "Kent seems to be something of a foodie hot spot these days, with more and more first-class restaurants and pubs opening each year.

"Particular acknowledgment this year goes to Stephen Harris at The Sportsman for gaining such a prestigious award and for being an inspiration for many of the chefs who are cooking in Kent."