Described as a ‘rising star’ of the culinary world, Lucas King, chef at The Plough in North Street, Bicester, which is run by the Olive Tree Pub Company, secured the accolades at the International Salon Culinaire 2026.

The 22-year-old competed in the junior chef category, where his ‘exceptional skill, creativity and precision’ stood out in the fish course and terrine categories.

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His dishes impressed the judges and scored him top marks, with the fish course praised for its balance of flavour and delicate execution, while his terrine showcased classical technique combined with a modern flair.

The young chef took home gold medals in two categories, and won junior best in show (Image: Olive Tree Pub Company)

They earned him two gold ‘Best in Class’ medals for his creations, and set him apart as the overall standout competitor and winner of the coveted ‘Best in Show’ title.

He was awarded the Best Junior Display Exhibit, the highest award for the juniors in the show, which goes to the chef who demonstrates ‘outstanding ability’ across all the judged elements.

Mr King’s fish course saw him win Best in Class for the category (Image: Olive Tree Pub Company)

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Mr King said he was grateful for the recognition and the opportunity to compete at such a high level.

“It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m honoured to be recognised among such talented chefs,” he said.

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One of the most prestigious chef competitions in the world, Salon Culinaire’s Hotel, Restaurant and Catering show took place across three days at the Excel London from March 30.

For more than a century the competitions have been considered the benchmark for emerging talent in the culinary industry and a platform for chefs of all levels to showcase their skills.

Judges noted that this year’s cohort was among the strongest yet.

It’s the second year in a row the chef has taken home gold from the competition (Image: Olive Tree Pub Company)

At last year’s competition, when Mr King had been with The Olive Tree Pub Company for just 18 months, he took home a gold in the starter plates category.

Arran Hodges, one of the founders of the pub company, last year said Mr King “has gone from strength to strength in the kitchen and is one of our future stars to watch.”

The Olive Tree Pub Company is an independent hospitality business in Bicester run by five local friends who took over The Plough in 2024, when it was doomed to closure.

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Their efforts to transform the venue saw recognition last year, when they won New Licensee of the Year and the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award.

The Plough is now praised as a welcoming gastropub and is popular in Bicester, combining a modern dining experience with the character of a traditional village pub.

Next year’s International Salon Culinaire will take place from April 5 to April 7, 2027, at Excel London.

People in the city were left speculating after a huge plume of smoke was seen rising from the Cowley area in Oxford on Tuesday (March 7) from about 7pm.

The fire and rescue service confirmed that firefighters were called at about 6.45pm on Tuesday to an incident in Oxford Road, Garsington.

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The large black smoke cloud billows over the city. (Image: Rod Hiles / X)

Black smoke was produced when two cars and a kerosene oil tank caught fire, also damaging the outside of a home on the road.

Firefighters deployed from fire stations in Slade, Woodstock and Kidlington battled the blaze for about three hours to bring it safely back under control.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 6.46pm yesterday evening, sending fire engines from Slade, Woodstock and Kidlington fire stations to Oxford Road, Garsington.

The large black smoke cloud billows over the city. (Image: Chantelle Gunby / X)

“The incident involved two cars and a kerosene oil tank destroyed by fire, with the exterior of a domestic property also affected by the fire.

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“Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hosereels to deal with the fire.

“They departed initially at 9.48pm, however, as a precaution carried out a reinspection at midnight.”

Pictures shared of the smoke show it was visible from across city, with one resident in Iffley spotting the incident from their window, with emergency vehicle sirens heard in the distance.

Calls for progress continue to be made by people who are frustrated by the delay to the line’s re-opening to passengers after nearly 60 years, despite construction being completed on the section from Oxford to Milton Keynes in December 2024.

Currently, only freight trains are running on the route which connects Oxford, Oxford Parkway and Bicester to Cambridge, via stations like Milton Keynes and Bedford.

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Among the issues which have delayed the official opening of the £7 billion new train line is an ongoing dispute between the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union, which represents train guards and drivers, and East West Rail line operator Chiltern Railways.

A newly launched petition is calling for the Government to ‘end the deadlock’.

Chiltern Railways will operate the new line. Pictured: Oxford Parkway (Image: Oxford Mail)

It said: “The East West Rail Line was due to open last December for passenger services. It’s still not running.

“The Government needs to break the deadlock between Chiltern Railways and unions.

“There needs to be effective negotiation to resolve differences and find a solution. Services need to run urgently.

“People moved to the East West Rail Line corridor for work and to use the train for other reasons.

“Some have lost jobs because of the delay. Others, who expected to take the train, are struggling to battle rush hour traffic to places like Oxford.”

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Railfuture, a campaign group promoting the expansion and efficacy of rail transport in the UK, said a dispute between the RMT Union and Chiltern Railways over Driver Only Operation is to blame for the delays.

The union said Chiltern Railways wants train drivers to open and close the doors at stations, with no train guards required – something which it has condemned as ‘unsafe’.

David Richardson, spokesperson for the Thames Valley branch of Railfuture, said: “We wholeheartedly support this petition and would urge anyone wanting to see better rail services in Oxford to support it.

Construction on the first section was completed in December 2024 (Image: EWR)

“We have suffered major disruption while the new bridge at Oxford station is put in to support an extra platform and new rail services, yet here we have a restored rail route that is open to freight trains but no passenger services are running.”

He said the petition would be discussed at the campaign groups AGM on May 12 in West Oxford Community Centre.

“Any further delay would be very, very frustrating,” Mr Richardson added.

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The RMT Union disputes that the delay has been caused by its dispute with the train operator.

A union spokesperson said: “It is simply inaccurate to blame delays to East West Rail on our dispute when the project has been held back for years by indecision, rising costs and unresolved planning issues.

“The industrial dispute only affects one part of the route and the biggest delays sit squarely with those in charge of managing the project.”

They added delays to the reopening are due to the central section between Bedford and Cambridge still needing to be built, vacancies on the line, issues with the stations which have been built and new railways having to be designed, agreed and approved.

The new line will connect Oxford to Cambridge for the first time in nearly 70 years (Image: Greg Blatchford)

The spokesperson said: “We are opposed to Driver Only Operation because it is vital there is a second safety critical person on board.

“This can include being responsible for door operations but it is a highly varied role, dealing with passengers safety, particularly in emergencies. 

“The guaranteed presence of a second onboard safety critical staff member provides a safer environment and reassurance to passengers particularly women and girls travelling alone. 

“RMT members are committed to delivering a safe and reliable railway, but they will not accept being used as cover for failures in project management.”

A spokesperson for Chiltern Railways said: “Since being announced as operator of the first stage of East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes in March 2025, we have been working at pace to get everything ready for services to begin on the new line.

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“Significant progress has been made, including the hiring and training of 44 train drivers, the creation of a new colleague facility at Bletchley, and the fit out of a new modern station with step-free access at Winslow.

“However, there is work still to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow station and on the operating arrangements for the new route.

“We are continuing our work on these areas in conjunction with industry colleagues and will provide updates as soon as we are able to.”