TWENTY budding chefs have cooked up a treat in an attempt to get though to the finals of a prestigious new competition.

The student competitors were narrowed down to eight finalists in the Cook 4 a Career competition being run by the Glasshouse brasserie and bar in Sidbury, Worcester, and Worcester College of Technology.

One of the talented finalists will go on to be announced the overall Cook 4 a Career winner at the final on Monday, June 7, to win the prize of a chef’s job at the Glasshouse.

During Monday night’s heats, the entrants were invited to cook a main course meal for two people using a pre-determined variety of local ingredients.

“The chefs were given a list of ingredients when they arrived for the event,” said the Glasshouse’s general manager Steve Lloyd.

“They then had a short period of time to choose their dishes, before then preparing and cooking them within one hour.

“It was very impressive to see the high level of talent, skill and motivation in the kitchen, especially under pressure in a competitive environment.”

Worcester College of Technology’s head of catering Neil Tabram and Mr Lloyd studied each chef and tasted the dishes before naming Melanie Rutter, Alex Flood, Jake Phillips, Andrew Campbell, Richard Wainman, Rob Banks, David Turley and Ashley Leach as the eight successful students to progress to the final.

Judging was based on the students’ workmanship, creativity and presentation, composition, taste and the flavour and the balance of the dish/menu.

The final at Worcester College of Technology will see each chef cook for a panel of judges, including the Glasshouse’s head chef Duncan Mitchell, Mr Tabram, Kathy Leather – commercial director of Worcester Warriors and Worcestershire Business Woman of the Year – and Kevin Ward, editor of your Worcester News.