A CHEF who works at Minehead Middle School has been wowing judges with his culinary delights in a top cooking competition.

Scott Pring was a joint runner-up for the South West in the hotly contested LACA School Chef of the Year contest.

School chefs from all over Britain have been taking part in the 2020 Competition.

Having qualified through the heats, Scott tested his talent against six other school chefs from the South West in a live cook off held at Weston College in Weston-super-Mare on Monday, January 13.

At the cook off, competitors had 90 minutes to prepare, cook and present four portions each of an imaginative two course meal suitable for serving en masse to 11-year-olds in primary or secondary schools.

The meal had to comply with School Food Standards and take into account the East Well Guide 2016.

The food cost for one main course and dessert must not exceed £1.30.

Scott impressed the judges with his main courses; one of chicken medallions with rainbow jewels served with courgette, rosemary and garlic focaccia, and the other a fondant potato and sweet potato with chicken stuffed julienne of vegetables served with vegetable jewels and a hidden vegetable jus.

Then for his desserts he concocted one lemon and strawberry cheesecake, and deconstructed cheesecake with cookie crumb and fresh strawberries.

A competition spokesperson said: "While Scott Pring from Minehead Middle School did not win the overall title he was a joint runner-up.

"As the standard was exceptionally high, the judges decided to award two joint runner-up places which is the first time this has happened in the 2020 regional finals to date.

"So it was a real achievement for Scott."