Six pupils from Montagu School and Bishop Stopford School, Kettering, and Montsaye Community College, Rothwell, met in the area Rotary Young Chef of the Year competition yesterday.

Judges Rushton Hall acting head chef Tony Bennett, Kettering Huxloe Rotary Club president Bob King and Evening Telegraph deputy editor Neil Pickford tasted and rated each menu by criteria including taste, planning, preparation, neatness, presentation and how healthy the dishes were.

The main courses included chicken wrapped in bacon on a bed of pasta with mushroom sauce and turkey with peaches and vegetable rice.

Some of the desserts included strawberry mousse and a fruity shortbread tower served with raspberry coulis.

The winning menu was created by 15-year-old Jemma Garcia, a Year 10 pupil from Montagu School.

She cooked oriental cod noodles, followed by an autumn fruit compote with ginger biscuits.

Speaking about the winning menu, Mr Bennett said: "It was really close between the two girls in first and second place. It was just down to having a little more knowledge of the ingredients."

Jemma said: "I think what Tony Bennett said was really helpful so I can go on and improve it and hopefully win the district final.

"I did oriental cod because it would be healthy, have flavour and not just be bland."

Mauwenam Agbenu from Montagu School came second, with Lauren Stafford and Charlotte Tilley from Montsaye Community College joint third.

Jemma will go on to the next round of the competition in Huntingdon on January 31.