BUDDING young chefs celebrated their success in a competition by showing off their skills in the kitchen at an evening reception.

A pair of young chefs from The Clere School, in Burghclere, were one of five winning teams from schools in West Berkshire which took part in The S Word competition.

The 10 winning students were whittled down from 100, from five different schools.

The contest, organised by the Education Business Partnership West Berkshire (EBPWB), began in January and saw students from each participating school working together in pairs to create a two-course meal from local and seasonal produce.

They had to plan a menu, source ingredients and cook against the clock.

The winning teams from The Clere School, The Willink School, The Downs School, Little Heath School and Kennet School were then given the opportunity to cook for honoured guests at the evening reception, hosted by the competition’s sponsors, Honesty.

Held at the Honesty Cookery School, in North Sydmonton, the students worked with Romilla Arber, of Honesty, and her executive chef Matthew Ambrose, who is based at the Crown and Garter, in Inkpen.

They prepared a seasonal menu for guests comprising spinach and wild garlic veloute, roast cannon of lamb and forced rhubarb and meringue tart.

Cheryl Wheeler, a food technology teacher at The Clere, said: “The S Word inspired the students to learn more about local foods and sustainability. It is a fabulous competition.”

Melanie Watt, from EBPWB, added: “The students really enjoyed their fantastic experience at the Honesty Cookery School, where they had the opportunity to learn from talented chefs and promote their achievements to all of our guests. It was a lovely evening and a fitting way to celebrate The S Word competition.”