MINEHEAD hotelier Alex Mendoza is offering budding chefs a rare opportunity to get a foot on the catering ladder.

Mr Mendoza, who owns the Marston Lodge Hotel in St Michael's Road, is willing to hand over the hotel's kitchen and restaurant in return for little more than a contribution towards gas and electricity costs.

He said he would not charge rent, and the chef would be able to treat the kitchen and restaurant as their own.

The chef would be expected to provide their own ingredients and draft their own menus but in return would keep all the takings from the restaurant side of the business.

Mr Mendoza, pictured in the restaurant, said: "I'm basically offering a budding young chef a free kitchen and restaurant.

"I've been to places like the Somerset College, but no-one seems to be interested.

"I would have thought someone would have jumped at the chance - I run the hotel and bar, but don't have anything to do with the restaurant, that's down to them."

Mr Mendoza has owned the Marston Lodge Hotel for six years and is hoping his bold offer will help put the hotel's restaurant firmly on the local gastronomy map.

"We've got some lovely facilities at the hotel and there's a captive audience here when it comes to making a success of a good restaurant," he said.

Anyone interested in taking on the culinary challenge can contact Mr Mendoza on 07768 427136.

Photo: Steve Guscott