YOUNG chefs from across Great Britain and Ireland, including one from Taunton, descended on Colleg Cambria in Deeside recently to battle it out for the prestigious title of Rotary Young Chef.

The annual competition sees eight youngsters aged 11 to 17 show off their culinary skills by producing a three-course meal in order to be crowned the winner.

And while Queen's College student Kate Michaels wasn't crowned the winner, she was selected to receive an award for showing promise.

Kate, 15, made it down to the final eight after securing a place with her menu of pea and mint soup, fillet of salmon and ham, crushed Jersey royals, char-grilled asparagus and a chocolate mousse.

This year the judges wanted to recognise a young chef by giving a special award for showing promise.

The award was made to Kate, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Taunton and Taunton Vale who received a cheque for £50 and a bag of Filippo Berio products.

President of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, Peter King, said: “I would like to congratulate all the finalists who are all winners after beating off over 5,000 other young people to reach the final.

"To see the young chefs in action was really inspiring and they were all deserving finalists."

A spokesperson for the Rotary Club of Taunton and Taunton Vale added: "Since this event involved over 16,000 young people, it is most commendable of Kate to get this honour, and we wish her every success in her future career."