YOUNG chefs put their cooking skills to the test by preparing a two-course dinner at a Southampton college.

The Young Chefs Academy, run by City College Southampton, ran over six weeks to give school pupils in year nine, ten and 11 their first taste of life in a professional kitchen and to inspire the next generation of chefs.

During the course, the pupils learned about food and knife safety, breads and doughs, fresh pasta making, and preparation of poultry and desserts.

To celebrate their new cooking skills, the Young Chefs prepared a formal dinner in City College’s Aspire Restaurant for parents and businesses who had sponsored the Academy.

One of the participants, Amelia Nicholson from Hamble School, has since entered the Rotary Young Chefs Competition.

Amelia won her local heat using the bread-making skills taught on the course and will now compete in the regional finals.

Amelia said: ‘I really enjoyed the baking parts of the course and although I do Food and Nutrition at school, this course at college has taught me so much more."

Sarah Stannard, Principal and Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be working with local businesses to enthuse and inform students.

“Through this course we have started to create the next generation of chefs, through giving them a brand new experience. Very many thanks to the business sponsors, without whom this course wouldn’t have been possible.”