Student chef wins competition on her 18th birthday

Sarah Parsons, who lives in Kington Magna, Dorset, took first place on her birthday yesterday in a college-wide catering competition run in association with von Essen hotels. She beat eight other finalists to win a year-long salaried scholarship as a Commis Chef. Sarah's winning dishes were filo mushroom, fillet of head bream and strawberry shortbread. She said: "I cannot believe it. This is a career making opportunity and I'm so excited. I was encouraged by my tutor to enter this and I really enjoyed the challenge of the competition. It's my ambition to become a chef in a kitchen. I particularly like making desserts and the artistic presentation side of cookery." James Parkinson, executive chef for von Essen, who was also one of the judges said: "Sarah's dishes were very well seasoned and balanced and it was a good all round meal. She has a lovely temperament and is very calm in the kitchen which is so important for a good chef. I think she will fit in perfectly at our hotels." The second place student was Peter Wade of Trowbridge who cooked warm chorizo & avocado salad, chicken stuffed with olive and sun dried tomato and chocolate sponge. Nick Benham of Calne took third place making seared scallops, duck breast and vanilla panacotta.