A TEENAGE master chef will compete at a national final after being crowned the best cook in the North West.

Rebecca Wilkinson, aged 14, from Holcombe, was awarded first prize in the Rotary Young Chef competition regional final, held at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale.

The Woodhey High School pupil made a starter of seared scallops with lemon butter sauce and a pea and parmesan veloute, this was followed by a smoked haddock and Lancashire cheese souffle with a poached egg, a cream of mustard sauce, watercress and pomegranate, which the judges described as “perfect”.

For dessert, she rustled up an ‘Eastern mess’ comprising meringue shards, whipped cream, macerated rosewater strawberries, raspberry coulis, pistachio nuts and pomegranate seeds.

Rebecca said: “I was very shocked but ecstatic at the same time.” She added her talent has come from her mum.

“She inspired me to do it, and she was, and still is, a brilliant cook,” said Rebecca.

The young culinary star, who wants to be a chef when she is older, said she enjoys the challenge of cooking complex dishes.

She said: “It depends what I am doing, if I am cooking something complicated and risky, it can be quite stressful, but I enjoy it at the same time.”

Rebecca, who has been helped in her quest for perfection by former head chef at Walmersley’s Red Hall Hotel, Chris Haddock, will now go forward to the national final in Lincoln on May 13 where she will compete for a trip to Italy, courtesy of Felippo Berio olive oil, which will include kitchen work experience creating some delicious Italian food.

Mum Nicola Wilkinson said: “We’re still in shock to be honest. We knew she was good and she enjoyed it, but we didn’t know just how talented she was.

“It was really nerve-racking. The contestants were the best of the best, the calibre of cooking was just incredible, we don’t know how the judges could pick one. Of course, we are unbelievably proud of Rebecca.”

Mrs Wilkinson added she wished to thank Mrs Gallie, head of food technology at Woodhey and Rebecca’s form teacher, who has given “incredible support”.

Mrs Gallie said: “Rebecca has done so very well. Her confidence has grown during the time she has been in the competition, it is lovely to see. I am so proud of Rebecca getting through to the national final.”