TEENAGE chef Lauren Whitestone, 16, from Bisley, is celebrating after winning the local round of this year’s Rotary Club Chef Competition.

A student at Thomas Keble School, Lauren also came second in the Regional Competition at the Cotswold School and will now compete at the Regional Final in Stoke-on-Trent next month. At stake is a place in the national final in Scotland, as one of the top eight young chefs in the competition sponsored by Filippo Berrio olive oil.

Lauren’s winning menu included saffron risotto and gremolata pan-fried cod, followed by panna cotta with mango and a compote. She credits her mum’s sweet-and-sour pork as the dish that inspired her, and is currently busy practising her tuile biscuits at home in the run-up to the regional event.

Jennie Peirce, catering teacher at Thomas Keble, said: “We are delighted for Lauren. She has a real flair and talent in the kitchen.”