A CHEF who claims he was thrown off a catering course at Preston College, is hotting up to tickle the taste buds of top grub guru, Gordon Ramsay.

Hang up your pans Jamie Oliver -- sous chef Leigh Myers, who works at Simply Heathcotes, in Winckley Square, Preston, is one of 24 young cooks competing to be one of four finalists in the Gordon Ramsay 2001 award.

The 22-year-old, of Old Lightfoot Lane, Higher Bartle, near Preston, entered the competition after creating a three-course lunchtime menu of mouth-watering delights.

As a starter the creative chef planned a smoked chicken and celeriac soup, followed by roast fillet of cod, crispy mushrooms and leaf spinach with a mushroom cappuccino and a dessert of apple crumble souffle served with an apple sorbet.

Leigh's delicious feast won him a place in the culinary competition judged by a panel of renowned chefs including celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

Next week on Thursday, August 9, the former Broughton High School pupil will compete at the competition's regional final in Glasgow where he will be expected to cook a main course and a dessert in just two-and-a-half hours from a surprise box of ingredients plus an extra one of his own choice.

Leigh, who completed his apprenticeship at Heathcote's School of Excellence in Longridge, Preston, said: "I'm not at all worried about meeting Gordon Ramsay even though people may think he is scary. "I chose this for its local appeal -- the apple crumble is a Lancashire thing. The cod is also local and everyone loves cod."

A winner will be selected from each of the three regional finals and go forward to the grand final in London next month.

If he wins Leigh will receive the Gordon Ramsay scholar 2001 prize of £5,000 and a chance to work in top kitchens in Singapore and the USA.

He will also receive a commemorative trophy and get to spend one week at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay -- owned by the man himself -- which attracts some of the world's most famous customers.

Leigh added: "If I win the competition I would like to put the money toward my dream which is to own my own Michelin Star restaurant."