We have seen many ‘Masterchef’ programmes on TV - but Wednesday 23rd January saw four pupils at Anstruther’s Waid Academy excel in a local heat of Rotary’s National Young Chef challenge. It is a popular competition that attracts many entrants from across the UK and Ireland and with a Final that will take place on 27th April at the Cheltenham campus of Gloucestershire College.

Heather Aird, Fraser Seath, Ben Armit and John Wood, all from Mrs Irene Henderson's 3rd year Hospitality course had just one and a half hours to produce a two-course meal, for two, with ingredients costing no more than £10.

Judging this were Brian Murphy, owner/chef of the Pittenweem Inn, and ‘Spud’ Henderson, a third-year HNC student at Elmwood College. Marks were awarded for planning, costing, skills, hygiene, presentation and use of time - as well as for the food itself.

The final marks were very close, with John Wood declared the winner by a narrow margin.

John will now go on to the district final in Dundee College on Saturday 2nd February, where he will have to prepare a three-course meal for two and this time with ingredients to cost no more than £15.

Event organizer from Anstruther Rotary Club, Ian Kennedy, who was at the cook-off said ‘It was a real pleasure to see the skills and competence of these young chefs. Everything was calm, organized and highly professional - and the food was delicious too’

The attached photograph shows the young chefs in their kitchen