Year 7 pupil becomes Kent Chef Champion

11-year-old Phoebe Icke has won the Junior section of the Kent Young Chef Awards with her dish of Romney Marsh Lamb with rosemary, shallots and beetroot.

The talented youngster beat off competition from aspiring chefs from across the county in a heated final at K College in Tunbridge Wells.

The dishes were judged by Richard Phillips, owner of Thackeray's restaurant in Tunbridge Wells, Brian Whiting, MD of Whiting and Hammond, Tony Ward, head chef of Wood Restaurant, and Ian Piper manager of hospitality and catering at K College.

Fellow pupil Hana also impressed the judges with her spicy fish stew. Phoebe will be guest of honour at Woods Restaurant on January 19 for the awards' charity dinner in aid of Hospice in the Weald. She will design a three-course menu for 60 guests.