The Young Chef of the Year competition is organised by the Rotary Club and four pupils from the Aveland High School, Billingborough - Afaf Jackson, Jordan Richardson, Nicole Campbell and Nathaniel Hudson - took part in the local South Lincolnshire contest at Spalding High School for Girls.

The quality of entries was extremely high. Seven schools entered the competition, with Afaf Jackson winning second place with a dish so outstanding that the judges awarded an honorary place for her to attend the regional finals in Huntington.

Year 10 pupil Afaf acquitted herself well in the regional finals to win that event to earn herself a place in the national semi finals, which were held at Ollerton in Nottinghamshire.

Afaf’s ability to cook wonderful meals under the most difficult of circumstances very nearly took her to the grand final - just a single point was all that separated her from the eventual winner of her semi final.

Afaf’s menu for the semi final was: Starter - Lemon cups with smoked salmon and oatcakes; Main course - Marinated chicken with honey, Moroccan vegetables and couscous; Dessert - Panettone pudding with cherries, served with crème fresh.