Aikens wins coveted prize

It has been by his own admission a difficult year for chef Tom Aikens.

But after a high-profile separation from his wife, the 34-year-old youngest ever winner of two Michelin stars is back to being recognised for what he does best.

For the second year running his peers have voted his eponymously named restaurant their favourite, as well as the best new restaurant.

The Chelsea venue beat off competition from the likes of Gordon Ramsay to scoop the top prize as the Restaurateurs' Restaurant of the Year Award.

Speaking after the ceremony in the capital, an emotional Aikens described what it was like to pick up the award in front of a Who's Who of the London restaurant business.

"When I won the award last year, it was incredible but this is totally unexpected. For me what's endearing is the respect of people who work in the industry," he said.

"It's all very well getting nice write-ups from food writers but it's amazing when your peers respect you enough to give you this award.

"It's a great feeling when all the hard work pays off."

Earlier this year he split from his wife of seven years, Laura, 33, who helped him set up the restaurant and is still its manager. He admitted: "It's been a difficult year - there's no doubt about that. But now I'm waiting to see what the future holds."

A meal for two at his restaurant will set you back £130, including wine, but critics have been glowing in their praise. Evening Standard restaurant critic Fay Maschler wrote that his food was original, daring and "a delight".

Aikens first hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when he was accused of "branding" a trainee chef with a hot palette knife. At the time, he was in charge of the kitchens at Pied-à-Terre.

Had it not been for that incident, it may well have been Aikens, not his once bitter rival Gordon Ramsay, who went on to dominate the London restaurant scene.

Aikens said their feud is now a thing of the past. He said: "Gordon patted me on the back and congratulated me after I got the award. He is someone I respect a lot and we get on well."