When Tom Armstrong baked with his grandma Dorothy as a small boy little did he know he was sowing the seeds for his future career.

A couple of decades later Tom is now head chef at the family's thriving pub where he is also manager thanks to a training package which has seen him rise through the ranks.

In recognition of this Tom, 28, has been nominated in the best apprentice/trainee category of this year's in-Cumbria Business Awards by his NVQ training assessor Martin Black.

Tom, who works at the Old Mill Inn at Dearham near Maryport, is doing his training through HIT Training. Having already completed a level two qualification in professional cookery and a level three in hospitality supervision and leadership, Tom is now studying a level three in advanced professional cookery.

Former head chef Martin, who is based in Penrith, said he decided to enter Tom in the awards in recognition of his hard work and determination in training.

“His confidence has grown so much in the time I have known him. He is now running the pub by himself and doing a very good job,” he said.

“I see massive potential in Tom which is why I put him through for this award. The in-Cumbria awards are a good scheme with local relevance which I think is important.”

For Tom, being entered into the awards is the icing on the cake.

“I am delighted he has put me forward. I love my job and it would be good to get the recognition,” says Tom, whose mum Andrea Armstrong and grandfather Howard Mothersill (corr) own the Old Mill Inn.

Tom developed his love of cooking as a young child when he baked with his gran but later in life decided to study IT and worked in project management for five years before deciding to follow a catering route.

“I have enjoyed doing my NVQs with Martin. As part of my training I was selected during National Apprenticeship Week to cook at a pop-up restaurant in Accrington which was good fun,” he said.

“Also I made a video in the kitchen on how to defrost, pluck, gut and bruise a frozen pheasant which was used on the NVQ website.”

The in-Cumbria award will go to apprentice/trainee who in the view of both the employer and judges has demonstrated:

* Real dedication to the apprentice/trainee programme

* An enthusiastic attitude towards learning

* A clear application of knowledge and skills learned

The awards will be presented by the BBC's media editor Amol Rajan, a former editor of The Independent, at an evening of celebration at the Halston Hotel in Carlisle on November 9.

There are 16 categories available to businesses and individuals with a distinguished panel of judges from the world of Cumbrian business assessing the entries.

To enter go to www.in-cumbria.com/awards.