Young Hayes chef bids for title

A STUDENT from Rosedale College in Hillingdon has successfully fought off stiff competition to reach the finals of this year's Young Chef Challenge judged by a Celebrity Chef.

Mateusz Karaskieiwcz, from the school in Wood End Green Road, Hayes, impressed judges with her original mince beef and blue cheese tart recipe.

She is now a step closer to the regional and national Quality Standard beef mince Young Chef Challenge 2008 title.

This year's competition saw a record number of schools register with over 400 key stage three and four food and technology and catering students sending in their recipes.

Coveted regional prizes include £200 worth of school kitchen equipment, professional chef whites and the chance to join celebrity chef and competition judge James Martin in the kitchen of a famous restaurant.

Emphasis was on practical cooking, healthy eating, and the use of simple ingredients, though skill and originality were also winning factors.

Talented chef Mateusz now goes through to the regional finals taking place on December 3 where she will get the chance to show off her culinary skills and compete against youngsters from London and the South East.