crowned the first-ever winner of the inaugural Bermuda Master Chef Cook-Off this week.

The chef, who originally hails from Newcastle, England, beat out colleagues from at least 15 other hotels and restaurants during a week-long series of competitions last week.

The contest, which required that participants incorporate one of four different spirits in their competition recipes, was held in a recently completed on-site kitchen at International Imports in Hamilton and was open to the public.

Mr. King, 28, was named the Cook-Off winner on Sunday for his recipe for salmon and langostines in a tequila sauce. It was served over three different colours of angel hair pasta.

Along with tequila, the spirits that Cook-Off competitors were required to use consisted of rum, chablis and whisky.

The winner in the chablis sub-category was Mr. Rolando Campano from Romanoff's, while Mr. Edmund Smith of Ascots,won in the whisky grouping with his recipe using scotch.

In the rum category, there was a tie for first place. Winners there included Piet Wigmans of the Southampton Princess and Alexander MacKay from Fourways.

Each of the sub-category winners received medals for their efforts, while Mr.

King was awarded a trophy.

He will also be attending the 1995 Hotel/Motel Show in New York City courtesy of American Airlines.