KING Edward’s Witley pupil Sam Warne beat off stiff competition from fellow students when he was selected to compete in the national Rotary Club Young Chef District finals.

The district finals took place at the school and required the junior chefs to create three healthy courses for under £15.

The only boy competing on the day, Sam showed off his culinary skills with a classy menu comprising rosemary flatbread with avocado smash, roasted vine tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto, followed by homemade fettuccine with passata, baby capers, lemon, olives and parmesan shavings, with elderflower steeped fruits with dark chocolate drizzle and honey roasted granola for dessert.

Cooking in front of a panel of five judges, Sam, who is in year nine, had just two hours to complete his mouth-watering masterpiece, and finished in third place.

Sam said: “I really enjoyed taking part in the challenge and it has been an honour to represent the school in such a prestigious competition..

“I’m pleased with how the dishes turned out on the day and relieved that I managed to complete all three courses in the allocated time.”