Winners of the BBC's Restaurant programme with Raymond Blanc

Cpl Jeremy Cooper, 33, and his wife Jane, 29, beat off stiff competition from eight other couples in the BBC Two series which ended on Wednesday night.

The couple had to undertake a number of challenges for the prize of starting a new food venture in Oxford.

"It sounds a bit cheesy", said Jeremy, "but it's like a dream come true."

Cpl Cooper's new job is a far cry from his recent deployment to Afghanistan.

He will be swapping his desert combat gear for chef's whites in the new Oxford location where Eight at the Thatch will be based.

The restaurant will serve pub-style food.

'Comfort zone'

Raymond Blanc said he was impressed by the couple and when asked if the venture would work, told the BBC, "Of course it's going to work.

"I feel quite comfortable and very happy with the choice I've made because both of them have got very strong points."

Two of his own restaurants Les Quat Saisons and Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons are based in Oxford so he will be keeping a watchful eye on the pair.

Explaining her regular tears on the show, trainee teacher Jane Cooper said: "Yes I cried and yes we argued but it was because we are perfectionists and we were out of our comfort zone."

To add to the challenge of the new restaurant, the couple are also expecting a baby in March 2008.

The restaurant opens on 6 November.