Rick Stein has Tom Aikens for dinner

Some of Britain's most famous chefs were among the cooks and diners at a London banquet.

Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal and Rick Stein all ate at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane last night as part of the AA Centenary Awards.

In the kitchen was Marcus Wareing, who prepared a starter of foie gras, Tom Aikens who served up a lamb cutlet and Raymond Blanc, who ended the meal with exotic fruits.

Among the awards handed out were: lifetime achievement given to Rick Stein; the chef's chef of the year to Philip Howard, head chef and co-owner of The Square in Mayfair and The Ledbury in Notting Hill; English restaurant of the year to The Royal Oak, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, owned by Sir Michael Parkinson and his son Nick, and best London restaurant, which went to Scott's in Mayfair.

Ransome's Dock, near Battersea Park, won an award for its wine list.