Young Sheffield student clinches 2011 National Junior Chef challenge

The cook off, which took place last month at Thanet College in Kent where Rhodes trained to become a chef, saw six finalists having three hours to prepare and serve a two course menu. Longmire's main course comprised cannon of lamb wrapped in a bread crust served with seasonal green vegetables dressed with mint butter and accompanied by Jersey Royal potatoes. For dessert, he made white chocolate panna cotta with a rhubarb compote topped with gingerbread meringues, and served with sponge fingers. He said: "It was one of the best experiences of my life. Gary Rhodes told me he liked the way that I added extra details and used seasonal vegetables." The Tapton School pupil, who is completing an NVQ level 1 in catering and spends half a day a week at Sheffield City College, won despite the power failing on some of his equipment, which meant he had to hand whisk the cream for his dessert. Longmire, who plans to enrol on a City & Guilds catering diploma course in September at Sheffield City College, was mentored by chef lecturer Len Unwin and spent around 40 hours preparing for the competition. His hard work made it the fourth time the college had produced a winner. Unwin said: "Shaun put a tremendous amount of work into this and has been totally focused. Aside from his cooking skills, he was incredibly calm under pressure despite a potential setback, and those attributes all contributed to his success." Longmire's prize was £300, the trophy, a set of chef's whites and knives, and a signed Gary Rhodes cookery book, plus £250 for the college. Sophie Baxter, 15, from Banbridge Academy in Northern Ireland came second and was presented with £150 and an opportunity to experience life as a chef on board ship courtesy of lead sponsor P&O Ferries. Kyle Richardson, 14, from St Aidan's C of E School in Lancashire came third and received £100. The other finalists were: Harry Deverill, 15, from Thanet College; Nicole Atkinson, 15, from Southdowns College in Purbrook; and Kirstie Elbourn, 16, from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham.