YOUNG chefs have had their culinary creations added to their school’s lunchtime menu following a cookery competition.

Rockliffe Hall Hotel chef Kenny Atkinson judged the best entries in the Masterchef-style contest at Hurworth Primary School.

Sam Johnson’s mini skewer-burgers and homemade tomato sauce was judge the winning dish with Hebe Baik (correct) voted into second place for her take on Eve’s pudding.

Teacher John Dooris said: “The competition has been running for about five weeks.

“We wanted the children to practice using the skills they were taught during their life skills lessons at school.

“During these sessions the children were learning how to cook and how to work safely around a kitchen.

“For the competition, they had to choose a dish that would go onto the school menu.

“They planned the dish and 16 were chosen to get through to the semi-finals.

“During the semi-finals, four children cooked their dish and then they were judged by a panel, with the winners going through to the final.

“We have had a range of dishes including citrus sponge, Chicken in Katsu sauce, Hurworth mess and Italian meatballs to name a few.

“As the quality of the food was so good, we have decided to place both finalists’ dishes onto the school menu to let the whole school try them out.”