YOUNG chef Stephanie Jones kept her cool in the kitchen to qualify for the national final of a cooking competition.

Thomas Hardye School student Stephanie, 16, was put forward by Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club to serve a top-drawer, three-course meal.

She was highly commended by judges in the regional final of the Rotary Young Chef of the Year competition in Paignton.

This is the fourth year that the Rotary Club has sponsored a talented young chef who has made it through to the national final.

Spokeswoman Lorraine Wong said: “Stephanie was highly commended by the judges both for the standard and quality of the three-course meal she produced and for her calm and supportive demeanour in the kitchen.

“She was accompanied to the regional final by her mum Michelle, and by Sally Voss, food technology teacher from Thomas Hardye School.”

Stephanie’s mentor is Steve Titman, executive chef of the Summer Lodge Hotel, Evershot, who also mentored Hailey Vickers, winner of the 2009 competition.

Casterbridge Rotary Club spokesman Bryan Evans said: “We were very lucky in getting the co-operation of the school’s food technology staff and the Summer Lodge Hotel.

“It makes a key difference to have a consummate professional like Steve, who is able to give advice on things like a balanced menu and presentation.

“This has been very successful from a community point of view.

“We’re hoping that Stephanie will follow her predecessor and go on to get the title.”

The national final will be held in Chichester on Saturday.