A GROUP of student chefs are one step away of showcasing their culinary skills on the world stage.

Kelly Tipton, Jake Morgan and Lorna Cooke, who study at Herefordshire and Ludlow College, came out on top in the regional heat of the Brakes Student Chef Team Challenge that was held at the college.

The theme was 'back to basics' which asked teams to present a menu that embraces the modern trend for clean, well portioned and precisely executed cuisine.

Kelly, Jake and Lorna, who served up Cornish mackerel, Mortimer venison and a chocolate and orange dessert, will now compete against seven other teams in the UK in a grand final next month.

The winner will assist the Craft Guild of Chefs (CGoC) team at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg in November, as well as receiving a five-day work experience week.

"We're really happy to have won," said Lorna.

"There were a few hiccups on the way, but we worked through them.

"We still have a lot of work to work on for the final and we're going to make the very most of the judge's feedback."

Fellow students Sophie Fortey, Vicky Preece and Jamie Creasey finished third in the competition that was judged by Christopher Basten, Mark Irish and Stuart McLoud.

"Welcoming this calibre of chefs to our restaurant and all the other talented teams was an absolute pleasure and I am thrilled everyone enjoyed the day so much," said Herefordshire and Ludlow College chef tutor Stuart Leggett.