A student who created a three-course meal in two hours has won a place on a cookery course.

The Rotary Club of Watford held its annual Rotary Young Chef competition at West Herts College on Saturday November 2.

Five students aged 14 to 17 from both Watford Grammar Schools and Bushey Academy were challenged to prepare a three-course menu in two hours to win a place on a six-week cookery course at the college, worth £133.

The competition was won by Gemma MacManus, from Watford Grammar School for Girls, who made a starter of cod fishcakes, a main course of chicken breast with potato latkes in a tomato-based vegetable sauce and a molten chocolate lava cake for dessert.

Gemma won a shield, a certificate and an invitation to join the six-week course.

Andy Wakeford, head of the catering school at West Herts College, said: “I was delighted to see the variation of menus prepared by the students, with vegetarian and vegan being well represented.”

The competition was part of a wider process, with the winner going on to the district heat and the winner of that to take part in a nationwide competition.