A 16-YEAR-OLD student at Blackburn College beat off competition from throughout the North West to win the Rotary Young Chef of the Year award.

Emily Crew was the choice of a panel of judges including celebrity chef Andrew Nutter, Neil Hogg of Accrington and Rossendale College and Peter Howarth of the Glendower Hotel, St Annes.

From an original entry of over 70, six finalists were selected who were given an hour and 45 minutes to prepare a three course meal for four people spending just £6.50 per head.

Emily won an engraved, cut glass trophy and a set of kitchen knives and the runner-up, Bridgett Hartley, 14, from Bowland High School, Clitheroe, received a set of knives. Rotarian Malcolm Weaving, proprietor of the Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn, who organised the competition, praised the high standard of the contestants.

"The thing that struck me most was the way these youngsters coped with everything that was thrown at them," said Malcolm. "They were so confident and composed and it was a pleasure to watch them work."