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Young cook Olivia Weir, a student at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College, Aldridge, Walsall, has won the Young Chef of the Year competition, organised by education catering specialist Aspens Services.

Hosted by Grace Academy Coventry in its food technology department, the event saw 18 students from St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College, Grace Academy Coventry and North Birmingham Academy cook up a storm.

Contestants had two hours to prepare their entries, preparing two servings of a main course and dessert using ingredients costing a maximum £10. They were asked to give their dishes an international ‘Round the World’ flavour.

Weir impressed the judges with her menu of Russian-inspired chicken kiev, served with roasted vegetables, followed by a meringue stack, layered with flavoured cream.

The second and third place students – Niamh O’Rourke and Cameron Charles – also came from St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College. O'Rourke cooked Italian chicken carbonara and tiramisu while Charles served up US-themed popcorn chicken, Boston burger followed by chocolate brownies.

Aspens area support manager Tony Mansell said: “The overall standard was excellent and some of the dishes were amazing. We were blown away by the presentation skills shown by the top three but all the students did remarkably well. We were impressed both by the level of ability and the imaginative approaches on display. They did a great job.”

They were all presented with framed certificates and will also receive a prize of a meal in a restaurant.