A Kent chef has been awarded the title of National Pizza Chef of the Year – beating some of the biggest names in the industry.

Joshua Ward, who works at Margate-based Palms Pizzeria – bagged the gong at the National Pizza Awards in Walthamstow on Tuesday night, after coming out top in the technical challenge.

He also took home the Bloggers’ Choice award – voted for by food and hospitality influencers.

The chef, who has only been making pizzas for three years, spoke of his pride at even getting on the shortlist.

Mr Ward said: “I entered a while ago and actually forgot about it so the email saying we were in the finals was a total surprise.

“Going up against pizza titans known nationally like Franco Manca, it’s just about keeping composure and doing what I know I can.

“I just took my time, tried to make them as great as I usually do and backed myself – it was an interesting environment because everyone else seemed stressed.

“I’m very proud considering I’ve been cooking a lot less longer than some of the other chefs I went up against.

“For a humble little slice shack in Margate, we’ve done really well.”

Likening the technical contest to the television show Ready, Steady, Cook, Joshua went head-to-head with other chefs whilst having to make three of his signature pizzas twice in the space of an hour.

Other categories included the signature dish title and the plant-based Pizza of the Year gong.

Zerodegree in Bristol won the signature dish award with its ‘Cinghiale’ made from fior di latte cheese, wild boar salami, ‘Nduja, roquito pepper, parmesan, tomato sauce and fresh basil.

The Plant-Based Pizza of the Year winner went to Raphael Persighetti of Bristol’s Pizzarova.

Palms Pizzeria – which only opened two years ago – paid tribute to Joshua on social media whilst thanking those involved, saying: “What a day! Against all the odds we’ve won the double at the National Pizza Awards!”

In April this year the business expanded tp Canterbury, operating out of the Floc Brewing Taproom on the Wincheap Industrial Estate.