By Andrew Clarke

Published at 12:19, Friday, 08 February 2013

Talented young chefs wowed the judges at a hotly-contested cookery competition.

Nadia Beattie with Kerry Bryan and Len Baseley, of Wigton Rotary

Ten rising stars from six schools competed in Whitehaven Rotary Club’s Young Chefs contest on Wednesday night.

Nadia Beattie, from Nelson Thomlinson in Wigton, claimed the top prize after her three-course meal tickled the judges’ taste buds.

She served a chicken and liver parfait to start, followed by duck breast stuffed with Savoy cabbage, and a poached pear with rhubarb compote to finish.

She wins a trophy and a £50 voucher for herself, and a £200 kitchen voucher (from Whitehaven’s G&M Supplies) for her school. Nadia will represent Cumbria in the regional finals.

Runner-up was Amy Armstrong from Solway Community Technical College (Silloth), and third was Leia Tyson from Dowdales School (Dalton-in-Furness).

Organiser Donald Brownrigg, of Whitehaven Rotary Club, said: “It was a closely fought contest and the judges – Jane Saxon from Moresby Hall and Ricky Andalcio from Zest - had a tough time choosing the winners. But all the pupils enjoyed themselves – which is the main thing.”

Other schools competing were hosts St Benedict’s, Keswick School and Ulverston Victoria.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk