YOUNG Ramsey chefs could soon be cooking at some of the country s most prestigious venues. Two teams of five from Abbey College will compete against 30 other teams of Yeasr 9 and 10 students in the East of England School Food Challenge. Each team has to

YOUNG Ramsey chefs could soon be cooking at some of the country's most prestigious venues.

Two teams of five from Abbey College will compete against 30 other teams of Yeasr 9 and 10 students in the East of England School Food Challenge.

Each team has to produce a menu consisting of a main course and dessert based on the theme "A Taste Of England with a modern twist".

The Ramsey school suggested lemon and oregano chicken, followed by apple and rhubarb crumble for dessert, and also redcurrant beef with Stilton cauliflower and Eve's pudding for dessert.

Polly Redmond, a design and technology teacher at the school, said: "It is all the students' own work and they have worked hard to produce a menu that builds on typical English dishes with a twist."

Launched in 1995 and supported by the East of England Agricultural Society, the competition is run in conjunction with the Prince's Trust and the Institute of Culinary Arts.

Students must include one or more of the following ingredients: pork belly, herring, mutton, chicken, offal or beef.

The preliminary rounds will be held in the commercial kitchens of the East of England Showground for two weeks in front of a live audience. Teams will be judged on culinary ability, food safety awareness and overall knowledge.

Eight finalists will be selected to go head-to-head in the grand final, staged within the Food Demonstration Theatre at the East of England Country Show, on June 15.

The winning team will be presented with the Schools Food Challenge Trophy plus a cheque for £500. Finalists will also visit and cook in some of the most prestigious venues in the country.

Last year's finalists visited the Goring Hotel, the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Claridge's and the Royal Automobile Club.