Award for Dacorum's top young chef

Laura Lowe with her trophy and head of house Donna Young

The contest was held in the Food Technology Suite of The Hemel Hempstead School.

Year 10 student Laura, from Tring School, saw off strong competition from students from eight other local schools to win the trophy.

She also won a £50 Waitrose voucher, a hardback cookery book and vouchers from the competition sponsor a2 Milk.

Laura’s chicken and sweet potato curry, followed by zingy orange and lemon syllabub wowed professional judges Paul Patterson, Liz Panter and Grant Young.

Second place went to Ashlyns student Sam Collins, who managed to source fresh clams in Berkhamsted to produce his New England clam chowder, while joint third place went to Amelia Woodnick, of Abbot’s Hill School, and Brandan Plunkett, of Longdean School.

Cookery competition organiser Gavin Rody said: “Our judges continue to be impressed not only by the improving standard of the food produced at this competition but also the manner of its presentation.

“By entering Young Chef, competitors are equipping themselves with a life skill, and positioning themselves for work in the industry should they choose to move in that direction.”

Laura was presented with her winner’s trophy by the president of Hemel Hempstead Rotary Club, Tony Williams, at a ceremony at the school last week.