BUDDING cooks from across the county served up their favourite meals to win the Young Chef of the Year Award.

More than 175 pupils entered the Rotary Club of Worcester Severn's competition, to discover the county's most talented chef.

Competing in two age categories-over 16 and under 16 years, contestant numbers were eventually whittled down to 12.

The last dozen chefs fought it out at the Spires restaurant at the Worcester College of Technology to win the cash prizes on offer.

"People could choose to cook any main course they wanted, but they were limited to only spending £5 on ingredients," said Vaughan Wiltshire, a member of the Worcester Severn Rotary Club.

"They then only had 45 minutes to prepare the food, in a Ready Steady Cook style competition."

Every competitor who reached the final received a certificate for their achievement.

Winner Kath Laver received a cash prize and a plaque for her school.