Winners of Young Chef Final announced

Focusing on the key stage three category (11-14 year-olds), in first place came Sophie Welch and Carla Minter from Denefield, followed by Florina Veseli and Leonora Smee from Cranford House School, who came second. Following in third place came Naomi Smith and Rebecca Hazell from Emmbrook School. Sophie and Carla's winning dish featured chicken stuffed with goat's cheese, followed by orange bread and butter pudding. And the winners of key stage four/five (14-16 year-olds) were Olivia Corbridge and Becky Norman from Abbey School. In second place were Josh Wimlett and Tom Clark from Denefield School, followed by Wendy Oudemans and James from John Madejski Academy, who came in at third. Winner's Olivia and Becky cooked a three-course meal which began with chicken roulade, followed by Parmesan crusted lemon sole. For dessert, they prepared baked ricotta with caramelised peaches. Laura Stopforth of central Berkshire Education Business Partnership (CBEBP), said: "The emphasis today is on developing culinary skills in a world of increasing dependence on convenience foods and developing a healthier attitude to the food we eat whilst supporting the work-related learning curriculum in financial literacy, as well as ICT and Food Technology. Because the students work in teams over a period of several months it also develops their team working, leadership and time management skills" The judging panel included renowned chefs Ashley Palmer-Watts, Colin Robson Wright, David Cavalier, food director of contractor Charlton House and chefs from Baxter Storey, Novotel and Renaissance Hotels. The competition took place at Thames Valley University on 3 March and was organised by Central Berkshire Education Business Partnership (CBEBP).