A Year 10 student at West Hatch High School is through to the district final of the Rotary International Young Chef competition after wowing judges with her two-course menu choice.

Emily Stow prepared a menu of lasagne with a mozzarella salad followed by a dessert of chocolate chip ice-cream with banana and chocolate pancakes at the local North East London heat held at New City College, Redbridge.

Emily,15, will now represent West Hatch in the next round - the district final - at New City College, Redbridge on Saturday, February 24.

Also representing West Hatch at the regional heat was fellow GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition student Macie Thorne (Year 10).

Macie's menu featured cottage pie served with broccoli and leeks and a dessert of zesty chocolate orange mousse with crumbly shortbread biscuits.

West Hatch High School Food and Textiles teachers Hazel Barnard and Raj Narwal praised both girls for their culinary efforts.

Mrs Narwal said: "Both girls worked exceptionally well to produce a healthy main course meal from scratch and served for two people in less than an hour-and-a-half.

"They worked tremendously well and even managed to even squeeze in a washing up session too!

"These talented chefs produced such exquisite, mouth-watering dishes, it was truly amazing and we all wish Emily all the best in the next round."