Banbury's young chef winner celebrates getting through another round in the contest

Holly Brigden, a pupil at Bloxham School, was one of two who won a place in the third round after cooking an exceptional meal for judges at the district competition in Newbury on February 1.

Holly, her father, Peter Harvey - her tutor at Bloxham School - and Bernard Goodchild, representing the Rotary Club of Banbury - travelled to Newbury on to see her take part in the District Final which covers the Thames Valley Rotary clubs.

The round was held at St Gabriel’s School and there were nine district finalists. Our pictures show the delicious meal prepared by Holly.

The chefs' brief was to show off their creative culinary talents, develop their cookery and food presentation skills and to promote healthy eating. The experience was also designed to prove their organisational and planning skills and show they could cope under pressure.

Mr Harvey said: "Holly was amazing and has been rewarded for her dedication, focus and desire to learn and improve.

"The young chefs had to cook three courses in two hours fighting for two places in the South of England finals. After a hard fought day Holly came a close second, was awarded the dish of the day for her main course of duck breast with glazed pear, celeriac puree and a warm salad of diced celeriac, bacon and savoy cabbage."

The next round of the competition takes place on March 7.