THREE teenage master chefs are in the running to be named the region’s best cook.

The Woodhey High School pupils have made it through to the district final of the Rotary Young Chef competition after impressing at a district heat last month.

Year ten pupils Amelia Tweddle and Harrison Humby will be joined by year nine pupil Spencer Collins after the trio cooked up a storm at the showcase in Cheadle last month.

Amelia came first after impressing the judges with her sirloin of venison, pea puree, seasonal vegetables, and beef jus, followed by chocolate infused beetroot cheesecake, and a raspberry coulis.

Meanwhile, Harrison finished second. He served up scallops with pea and mint puree, smooth garlic mash, pancetta crumb, and garlic oil. For dessert, she made a lemon tart with raspberry coulis and cream quenelle.

And Spencer finished fifth after showcasing his chicken in a mushroom, with gorgonzola and white wine sauce, boiled rice, fresh vegetables.

That was followed by an indulgent chocolate brownie, with clotted cream.

Ahead of the contest, Amelia and Harrison were mentored by Cameron Novak, the head chef at Holcombe Tap in Ramsbottom, and all three pupils are set to receive a further mentoring session to prepare them for the final.

The school’s head of food, Claire Gallie, said: “It is unusual to have three pupils through to this stage of the competition and we are obviously delighted.

“Woodhey is always a strong player.

“One of our pupils, Rebecca Wilkinson, took part in the final of the competition in 2017, where she received commendation for one of her dishes.

“We are thrilled with how well our pupils are doing in this year’s competition and with the skill and presentation of their dishes.

“The pupils produced very high standards of food to get through to the next level.”

The pupils were joined at the event by Keith Crane from the Rotary Club of Ramsbottom.

He said: “It’s no wonder Ramsbottom is getting a reputation as a “foodie” place with a school like Woodhey providing such young talent with opportunities to showcase their skills.

“Over the many years the school has entered this competition, they have just gone from strength to strength producing not only high quality dishes but with an artistic flair that just makes your mouth water.

“Every year they give our judges such encouragement that these young chefs can produce dishes that are capable of gracing the tables of many top class restaurants.”

The Rotary Young Chef district final will be held in Congleton on February 28.

The pupils will be go up against the best chefs from across the region, including Derby High School pupil Zainab Azam, who also progressed from the district heat.