ELLIE Bailey , a Y10 pupil at The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School, was recently lucky enough to be a finalist in The School Chef of the Year competition. She was chosen as the winner of the school heat and went on to compete at Worcester College of Technology on May 14. The competition is run by Alliance in Partnership, the school's catering company, and this was the first time they had extended the competition to an inter school final with 14 finalists coming from as far as Birmingham, Tenbury and Hereford as well as Worcester to take part. Fish cakes, pea puree, homemade ketchup and vegetable chips were the dish of the day for Ellie, the brief had been to provide a healthy, attractive and economical school meal, involving planning the ingredients, costings and nutritional values as well as the presentation.

Although not a winner, the comments were great and the judging was carried out by Phil Vickery, winner of Celebrity MasterChef in 2011, along with chefs from Alliance in Partnership, and Ellie came away with a medal and a signed copy of a cookery book. A great afternoon for everyone and a real success story for all involved.