YOUNG chef Isobel Clements is off to represent Craven after winning the local heat of a national cookery competition.

Isobel, a student at Settle College, was one of six to take part in the Rotary Club contest to find the best young chef in the country.

Organised in Craven by the Rotary Club of Skipton, and held in the High Street kitchens of Craven College, the six 11 to 17 year olds had to prepare and cook a two course meal in just two hours.

With a budget of no more than £15, they were tasked with preparing a healthy starter and main course, or main course and dessert.

Open to students across the country, the RIBI Young Chef competition aims to encourage young people how to cook a healthy meal and to develop their food presentation skills.

It also encourages the learning of food hygiene, the development of organisation and planning skills, and how to cope in a demanding situation.

The Skipton heat was sponsored by Booths Supermarket, and its Ilkley manager, Athol Robertson was a judge. His two fellow judges were Luc Daguzan, Patron at Le Bistro des Amis, Skipton, and Chris Gregson, manager of the Fountaine Inn, Linton.

Graham Hamilton, of the Rotary Club of Skipton, said after a hot and busy three and a half hours, the judges agreed that Isobel was the winner.

"She impressed with her meal of beetroot tarte tatin as a starter and a main course of rosti topped fish pie with pea puree, julienne carrots and tenders tem broccoli," he said.

Mr Daguzan praised all six contestants and added it was difficult to decide a winner.

"The standards were exceptionally high, this was a close competition with only a few marks separating the top candidates. Well done to all the contestants for their enthusiasm, hard work and skill," he said.

Isobel will now go forward to the district finals to be held between January and mid February next year.

The winner of the district final will go through to the regional finals in mid February to March, with the final due to take place on April 25 at Coleg Cambria, Wrexham.

Mr Hamilton added: "The Rotary Club of Skipton would like to thank all those who took part and to the staff at Craven College, especially John Eaton, for their assistance."