A DORCHESTER teenager cooked up a storm in a competition to recognise the best chefs.

The district 1200 Rotary Young Chef final was held for the first time in its history this year at the Hix Academy at Weymouth College – and Dorchester's Katie Platt was among the three winners who will go on to the regional final.

Katie,15, who attends the Thomas Hardye School, was supported by the Casterbridge Rotary Club and prepared a winning menu of smoked salmon tortellini, roasted chicken supreme and apple tart tatin.

Katie was coached for the competition by Mark Vaughan, of Vaughan's Restaurant.

The other winners of the district heat were Angelina Cunningham, from Stonar School, Wiltshire, who was sponsored by Melksham Rotary Club, and Kara Pick, from Blue Sixth Form, Somerset, who was sponsored by Wells Rotary Club.

Diana Apps, spokesperson for the Casterbridge Rotary Club youth committee, said the club is ‘thrilled’ Katie was one of the winners, and wished her every success in the next round.

Mrs Apps said: “We always put young people forward for these competitions and we have had two or three in the national finals before. But this is the first time a heat has been held at the Hix Academy.

“We were all very impressed by Katie, she is so enthusiastic and professional and even finished the day with a smile on her face.”

Competitors had to design and prepare a three-course menu, including laying the table and printing the menu. The competition is open to youngsters aged from 11 to 17 and attracted 6,000 entries nationally.

The Rotary Club also runs competitions for young writers and young public speakers.

Mrs Apps said: “You only have to see the look on their faces to see what young people get out of these competitions.

“It does our hearts good to see them taking on a challenge and succeeding.”

She added: “We work closely with a lot of schools and owe a lot to the teachers who encourage young people to embrace these things.”

The Rotary Club youth committee always welcomes new schools and young people who would like to get involved in the competitions.

Find them on Facebook at Casterbridge Rotary Club, Dorchester, Dorset.

The district finalists will now compete in the regional finals at South Devon College in Paignton on March 12. The national final will be held in Lincoln.

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