BUDDING chef Judith Latham cooked up a storm last week to win the regional heat of a junior competition.

The Crewe heat of the Rotary District 1050 Junior Master Chef competition was held at South Cheshire College last week with professional chef Robert Bateman judging.

Judith, aged 14, a pupil at Malbank High School in Nantwich, was the winner with her menu, which had to be under £5 and serve two people.

She served up Italian fennel casserole with new potatoes and broccoli followed by mini strawberry cheesecakes.

Last night, Wednesday, Judith and competition runner up Vicki Platt, from Crewe, were due to compete in the district final at Cheadle against youngsters from Manchester and other areas of Cheshire.

The event was organised and sponsored by Rotary Club of Crewe and Nantwich Weaver as part of its programme to encourage the development of vocational skills in young people.

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