CATERING students at Swindon College showed off their culinary talents during the Rotary Club of Thamesdown’s Young Chef Competition.

Eight students aged 16 to 19 took part in the final and the winner was Kim McElroy.

It was the second year that the Rotary Club has sponsored the competition, held at the North Star college.

The students had just two hours to prepare, cook and present two three-course meals. Judging was on a continual assessment basis during the two hours as well as the final presentation and taste.

Rotary president Richard Goddard said: “The food from all eight students was to a very high standard and the judging was not just on taste but also included elements of preparation, hygiene, project planning, healthy options, timing and many more elements that all combined towards the final mark.”

Lianne Southby took second place and third place went to Ben Heathcote. The three were each presented with an engraved chef’s knife and a cheque.

The Rotary Club is hoping to hold another competition for the students next year.

Richard said: “As a local rotary club, one of our aims is to put something back into the community, and this year, in addition to this competition, the club has already helped the NSPCC, Swindon Carers, the Swindon branch of Chernobyl, Children in Need, as well as holding the Wiltshire Scrabble Championship at Nationwide and a TV themed game show attended by more than 120 people which raised funds for local causes.”