A TEENAGER who is bidding to be crowned the best young chef in the country is only two steps away from achieving his goal.

Matthew Marriott is preparing for the regional final of the Springboard Future Chef competition.

During a tense day of cooking at Blackburn College, the 14-year-old from Oswaldtwistle wowed judges with his two-course meal for two people for just £7 and won his own personally embroidered chef's whites.

His teachers are backing his bid to be a top chef, allowing him time off from school to learn cookery at Accrington and Rossendale College.

The teenager said: "I served pan-fried chicken breast with parsnip puree, kale and sprouts dressed with pine nuts, cranberries and a port sauce.

"For dessert I made squidgy chocolate and pear pudding with cream and raspberries.

"The hardest part was getting the chocolate pudding out of the ramekin without it falling apart."

As well as making sure his meal came in on budget, Matthew quantified the nutritional value of the food.

Matthew is now being mentored by Danny Young,a chef at Michelin starred Northcote Manor in Langho.

The regional final will take place in Manchester next February and the winner will go through to the national final later in the year in London.