Captured on CCTV, the unidentified chef joined 20 kitchen staff armed with knives and brooms as they fought thugs who had attacked The Ledbury, Notting Hill a year ago yesterday.

As violence and unrest swept the capital, the masked rioters forced their way into the establishment, one of only a handful of British restaurants with two Michelin stars, where they attempted to rob terrified customers.

Inside, they forced up to 40 diners to kneel before robbing them of jewellery, mobile phones and wallets while one woman had her wedding ring ripped from her fingers.

16 of the rioters, aged between 15 and 25, have been handed prison sentences, totalling more than 73 years, for their part in the attack.

The jail terms were among some of the harshest sentences handed down for crimes committed during the UK riots.

Sentencing them at Inner London Crown Court, Judge Usha Karu said the "journey of destruction" was in stark contrast to the sporting prowess shown during the London 2012 Olympics.