A 16-year-old Ashfield School pupil has taken the first step in a national competition for budding chefs.

Nathan Kanya won the initial phase of the Rotary Young Chef of the Year event, sponsored by Kirkby Rotary Club and held at Ashfield School’s hospitality academy.

The winner was Nathan Kanya and Corey Goldsbury, also 16, was runner-up. Both are Year 11 students at Ashfield School.

The competition is designed to allow youngsters to demonstrate their skills in menu and budget planning, sourcing and purchasing ingredients, and cooking and serving a three-course meal for two.

Nathan has won a place at the district competition.

His starter was salmon and chilli fishcakes with a balsamic glaze. The main course was duck on Savoy cabbage in red wine sauce, and the dessert an apple and winter berry crumble with homemade vanilla ice cream.

Corey cooked Chinese chicken skewers with basil couscous, oriental stir fry on golden rice, and chocolate orange flapjacks.

The judges were Rotarian Sean Farrell, who works in the hospitality industry, and 19-year-old Conan Brookes, a former competitor at the local, district and regional stage.

He is now working at Launay’s Restaurant, Edwinstowe.

Chef tutors for the competition were Craig Harrison and Rotarian Tony Rose.

President Roger Pursey presented Nathan with the winner’s trophy and both with a cheque and certificate, all provided by Kirkby Rotary Club.

Pictured are Corey, left, and Nathan with Mr Pursey.