Fifteen pupils cooked up a storm in the Rotary Young Chef Competition.

The St Albans heat of the annual contest took place at Oaklands College on Wednesday, November 20.

Participants were tasked with planning, preparing, and presenting a two-course meal for two diners, including a main course and a dessert, for under £18.

The judges chose St Albans High School for Girls' pupil Reya Shah as the overall winner for her Korean sticky fried paneer followed by lemon posset.

Reya Shah wins St Albans heat of Young Chef Competition Reya Shah wins St Albans heat of Young Chef Competition (Image: Rotary Club of St Albans) Beaumont School's Sophie Catterall was the runner-up with her presentation of traditional cottage pie and Biscoff brownies.

St Albans High School for Girls also secured third place with Shazia Kapadia's vegan ’crab’ cakes and homemade tomato sauce, complemented by an apple and chocolate tart.

Mayor of St Albans Cllr Jamie Day presented the awards.

READ MORE: St Albans District tourism bounces back from pandemic

Each contestant received a certificate for participation from Claudio Duran, president of the Verulamium Rotary Club - who organised the event.

The judges included Mark Sharples, senior lecturer at Oaklands College, Liz Marcy, food and wine festival organiser at St Albans district council, Peter Knight, head chef at Aldwickbury Golf Club, and Martin West, Stables restaurant manager.

Reya will advance to the next round at the district competition in Bedford on February 8, 2025.