A sweet potato and king prawn risotto dish helped a 14-year-old student scoop the title of Wandsworth Young Chef of the Year.

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Proud: Nell gets a big hug from her mum 

Despite being the youngest person in the competition, Harris Academy Battersea pupil, Nell Cairo, won and got to pick up a cheque for £250.

Judges praised the layers of different flavours built into her dishes during the competition on Friday, March 20. Her meal started with leek and potato veloute served with brioche and pudding was coconut flan with caramelised clementine and spun sugar.

This is the second year the competition, run by the mayor of Wandsworth and council, has been held and seven schools from around the borough took part.

The scheme aims to teach young people how to cook good, healthy food to a budget and gives them an opportunity to access training, mentoring and experience in the catering industry.

The mayor of Wandsworth Councillor Stuart Thom said: "The quality of the food from all the finalists this year was outstanding, but the flavours in Nell’s menu really packed a punch. I would like to thank her and all the other students that took part for their hard work, as well as everyone who has mentored and supported the students.

"I hope this experience will give them a taste of what it is like to cook professionally and stand them in good stead for the future if they chose to enter the catering industry."