A BUDDING chef from Lavington School has been shortlisted for the South West Young Chef competition as she hopes to serve up a winning meal in the final next week.

Year 11 Vikki Pearcy, 15, entered the competition and has now made it through to the final stages. Mentored by a top chef, she spent the day preparing for her the culinary competition by going to Lucknam Park, Chippenham, for the day to see professionals in action.

Anna Woodman, assistant headteacher of Lavington School, said: “Congratulations to Vikki Pearcy for her recent achievements in the junior South West Young Chef competition.

“Good luck Vikki with her blue cheese and beef wellington creation and very grateful thanks to Hywel Jones and the team at Lucknam Park for their mentoring advice.”

The junior competition is part of the South West Chef of the Year competition with the Wiltshire heat judged in July by Hywel Jones an executive chef at Lucknam Park in Bath and Rob Potter, head chef at The Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe.

During the semi-final Vikki, from Marlborough, was challenged with serving a dish for two people in one and a half hours. For the final she has been asked to prepare a dish that celebrates the best in the west with west country ingredients appearing throughout her fine dining offering.

The final will be held on October 14 at Ashburton Cookery School in Ashburton, Devon.