Top Indian chef cooks up a feast for Royal Navy sailors

The crew of HMS Lancaster have been treated to a special dining experience thanks to one of India's top chefs.

Suresh Pillai, also known as Chef Pillai, served up a meal to 200 sailors and marines on board the vessel during its visit to India.

Chef Pillai said: "Thanks to the Royal Navy and British High Commission for this amazing opportunity."

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Chef Pillai is one of the world's best-known and respected Anglo-Indian chefs, and he has built his reputation in both Britain and India.

The 47-year-old former Masterchef: The Professionals contestant brought a team of 10 chefs aboard the frigate while it was in Kochi, in southwest India.

HMS Lancaster is the first Royal Navy ship to visit Kochi in over a dozen years.

Logistics Officer Lieutenant Commander Charlie Wilson said: "It was a great pleasure to have Chef Pillai and his amazing team onboard Lancaster.

"The food they prepared was fabulous and was one of the highlights of our visit to Kochi."

The meal was organised by the British High Commission, whose representatives visited the chef's restaurant earlier this year and selected the dishes to be served.

In gratitude, Chef Pillai and his team were given a special tour of HMS Lancaster. They were also presented with a replica of the ship's crest as a memento. 

HMS Lancaster visited Kochi after taking part in the annual Anglo-Indian naval exercise Konkan.

Konkan is an annual bilateral maritime exercise involving the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy.