A student from the College of West Anglia has reached the national finals of the Rotary Young Chef competition.

Deniss Lusnikovs, 17, of King's Lynn, has reached the final after winning the regional contest held at the at North Herts College, Hitchin.

Sponsored by the town's Trinity Rotary Club, Deniss will be in the national final at Stratford-upon-Avon Catering College on Saturday, April 30. He will compete against eight other finalists and has to devise a three-course meal using seasonal ingredients.

The budding chefs have half-an-hour for preparation and two hours to cook their meal, which will be judged by a panel of chefs.

Deniss is keeping his menu a secret: 'I am excited and busy planning changes to the ingredients. I'm hoping to use different cooking techniques and processes in order to come up with something special that will hopefully help me win.'

Jonathan Boyall, hospitality lecturer said: 'We are all extremely proud of Deniss, he has worked so hard to reach the final. His confidence has grown during this competition and his dishes have evolved to an outstanding level.'

Brian Saggers, Rotary co-ordinator, praised Deniss for his efforts and said he hoped he would make it all the way.

The winner will receive prizes including a cheque for �250 and a day with Michelin-starred chef Phil Thompson at Augberge du Lac, set in Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire.