Some of Ilkley and Otley’s most inspiring young chefs triumphed in the annual local heat of the Rotary Young Chef competition at Craven College on Thursday.

Eight young chefs – Joe Richardson (Craven College), Matthew Shelley (Erymsted’s Grammar School), Isobel Moran and Lorna Topping (Skipton Girls’ High School), Desideria Sardelli and Charlie Swinford (Ilkley Grammar School) and Kieran Brown and Jude Mason (Prince Henry’s School, Otley) – had to cook a healthy two-course meal for two in under two hours.

The winner was Desideria Sardelli, 15, closely followed by last year’s winner, 14-year-old Kieran Brown.

Desideria’s winning menu was lamb chops in a pistachio and parmesan croute served with cherry tomatoes glace followed by a white chocolate mousse with a red berry compote and topping.

The competition, held in Craven College’s state-of-the- art industry-standard kitchens, was judged by Luc Daguzan, from Le Bistro des Amis, Skipton, Chris Gregson, from Fountaine Inn, Linton, and Shawn Nixon from Booths Supermarkets.

John Eaton, head of catering and hospitality management at the college, said: “It’s a real pleasure to stage this competition because the participants are always so incredibly skilled and inventive. And it’s great to see these young food enthusiasts showcasing their culinary skills in front of food industry professionals – and producing dishes that would grace a menu in a first-class restaurant.”

Mike Leeming, Rotary Young Chef co-ordinator, added: “We are very grateful to Booths Supermarkets for their sponsorship which meant that all the contestants received vouchers for ingredients and complementary aprons for the cook-off.

“Our thanks go to John Eaton and Craven College for hosting the event, to the participants’ teachers and supporters for their commitment to the competition, to the judges, and last but not least to our eight chefs for all the hard work, skill and talent they brought to Young Chef 2013.”

Atholl Robertson, of Booths Supermarkets, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to sponsor the Rotary Young Chef competition again.

“Over the years this competition has attracted some outstanding participants, and Desideria, this year’s winner is no exception. Congratulations to everyone who took part – and good luck to Desideria who goes on to compete at the District Final at Bettys Cookery School in Harrogate next February.”