AN executive chef with local connections had a brush with the rich and famous on Sunday at the premiere of the film 'Chicago' held in London's Leicester Square.

Twenty-three-year-old Gareth Beckett, who runs his own catering company, along with his team of 12 chefs prepared an after-show party catering for over 800 well-known celebrities and stars.

He even got to meet some of them, including the main stars of the film Richard Gere, Renee Zelleweger and Catherine Zeta Jones, who Gareth described as "stunningly beautiful."

A past student of Pembrokeshire College, Gareth has Barry Headland, previously the college's head of catering, and especially Robin Wright, from Tenby's Panorama Hotel on The Esplanade, to thank for putting him on the road to success.

Gareth has also appeared on the television programme, Catering Challenge, and won.

Gareth's mum Lynne lives at North Park, Moreton, with her partner Dylan and their daughter, Lauren Bendall.

"He's a smashing son and we're all very proud of him," smiled Lynne when she called into the Observer this week.