A RIBBLE Valley chef de partie has cooked his way to success and secured himself a place in the final of the Essential Cuisine North West Young Chef of the Year competition.

Liam Anderson, 19, who lives near Wiswell, works at Freemasons at Wiswell in Vicarage Fold and beat dozens of competitors in the qualifying Lancashire rounds to set himself up for the finals in the summer.

The former St Augustine's RC High School pupil had to prepare and cook a three-course meal for two people featuring local and season produce and had to discuss their methods and costs to the judges.

The budding chef's starter consisted of risotto with Spring Wood wild garlic and pearl barely, with lamb sweetbread.

His main course was a corn-fed chicken with Wyre Valley asparagus, charred leek and miso, and his desert included rhubarb and custard souffle and cardamom ice cream.

The Lancashire Young Chef of the Year had previously entered the competition last year but failed to reach the final.

Mr Anderson said: "I'm so happy I have reached the finals of the competition, I have wanted to get there for such a long time.

"When planning my menu I wanted to focus on the seasonality of my dishes by making sure I was using the best Lancashire produce for this time of year.

"I think not getting through last year was one of my main incentives for entering this year, I needed to prove to myself that I could do it.

"This time round I got through because of more experience on my part, and the ingredients and menu was more thought out."

The judges on the day were Brian Mellor, the chairman of the judges, Essential Cuisine’s business development chef Jon Harvey-Barnes, and head chef at the White Mare Hotel in Beckermet Jon Fell.

Commenting on the food, Mr Harvey-Barns said: "The presentation of Liam’s dishes were second to none and I really couldn’t knock Liam’s soufflé dessert, it really was mightily impressive."

Steven Smith, chef owner of Freemasons at Wiswell, said: "At Freemasons we are proud of our commitment to nurturing young talent and we couldn’t be happier for Liam.

"We know that he will put his all in to the competition and look forward to supporting him in the final."

The final will take place at The Manchester College on Wednesday, May 11.