Date published: 24 May 2010

Melissa cooks up a storm

A Rawtentall student is hoping to carve a career as a top cook after impressing celebrity chef Gary Rhodes with her take on a Lancashire delicacy.

Fourteen-year-old Melissa Heys flew the flag for the north when she reached the final of the prestigious National Juniorchef Competition.

The Alder Grange Community and Technology School student took part in a tense three hour cook-off, which was judged by Gary Rhodes, Executive Chef at P&O Ferries Simon Bean, and Head Chef at Eastwell Manor Paul Owens.

She served served up a traditional Lancashire dish, consisting of a black pudding fritter, followed by a cannon of lamb with a mint and herb crust in a watercress and spinach puree with chateau potatoes, and a trio of rhubarb ice cream, jelly and crumble for dessert.

The level of talent impressed masterchef Gary on the day. He said: “It’s incredible to watch these young chefs, so focused and with an unbelievable knowledge of food. Foods that I’d never even heard of at their age! All of them are winners.”

Melissa was put forward for the competition by her supervisors at Accrington and Rossendale College, where she attends twice a week. She finished in fourth place overall, and took home £50, a medal, a signed Gary Rhodes cookbook as well as plaques, knife packs and chef whites.

Melissa, who lives on Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, said: “I had such a great time and I’m thrilled to have got so far. It was really exciting meeting Gary Rhodes – he was lovely and very complimentary about my food. I would love to be as successful as Gary is, it was really inspiring to hear how he got where he is today, and the experience has given me the confidence to go for it.”   
 
David Hampson, Head of School at Alder Grange, commented: “To finish in fourth place in the country is a fantastic achievement – Melissa is very talented and I think she has a great career ahead of her.”