TAUNTON chef Liam Finnegan was pipped to the title of ‘best chef’ at the Food Reader Awards.

More than 40,000 votes were cast for the fourth annual Food Magazine and Food Insider’s Guide awards.

Liam, from The Castle in Taunton, was nominated in the ‘best chef’ category but lost out to Michelin-starred Hywel Jones, of Lucknam Park, near Bath.

The ceremony took place at the Blagdon headquarters of Yeo Valley.