Budding young chefs put their culinary skills to the test in a Masterchef-style cookery contest this week.

Talented pupils at Archbishop Sancroft High School, in Harleston, took part in the Rotary Club Chef Competition on Thursday – a pre-cursor to the school taking part in the RIBI Young Chef National Competition in September.

Professional chef Peter Senior, who judged the contestants, declared the winner to be Ruth Melton, who received a �20 gift voucher from Harleston Rotary Club, while Aaron Willet (�10 voucher) was runner-up.

Joanne Barrington, acting head of design and technology, said: 'It was a great success. The children were very excited, and had been practising at home over the Easter holidays.'

Out of dozens of children who applied to compete, eight were chosen from years 7, 8 and 9 to prepare a healthy three-course meal for two people.

Aaron Willet, Josie Calvert, Ruth Melton, James Kingshott, Jessie Wood, Quinn Chapman, Jacob Collins and Kai Double were each given two-and-a-half hours to prepare, cook and serve their meals. Among the dishes served were taragon mushrooms, sesame fishcakes with wild rocket salad, Thai-style chicken with noodles, and cappucino cake.

The other competitors each received a spatula and everyone was given a certificate from the Rotary Club.