SIX budding chefs battled it out over a hot stove in the annual Minehead Rotary Club Young Chef Competition held at the West Somerset Community College's Combe Restaurant last week.

The contestants were each required to cook French onion soup and chicken kievs from scratch in just 90 minutes.

The students were supervised by the college's head of department Adrian Fleming and restaurant chef Werner Hartholt.

All aspects of food preparation, cooking, presentation and taste were scrutinised by the three judges - Nikie Stephenson, Bob Mann and Barry Bloxham, who had each spent many years working at a high level in hotels, restaurants and catering around the world.

The winner was Elisha Smith who will now go on to represent Minehead in the district round of the competition in Melksham in February.

The runner-up was Curtis Hole and all competitors were congratulated for the high standard of food they produced.

Silver cups were awarded to the winners, while all contestants received a commemorative certificate from club president Barrie Harban.

Photo: Steve Guscott