A NORTH-EAST college has played host to a competition involving top chefs from across the country.

The Civic Chef of the Year challenge, held at Darlington College of Technology, was contested by 24 of the most accomplished chefs in Britain, including some who cook for royalty and political figures.

Competitors were given 90 minutes to prepare, cook, present and serve a two-course meal.

Their offerings were judged by Peter Bell, head of hospitality and catering at the college, Patrick Lasca, executive chef at Sunderland Football Club, and Graham Marshall-Jones, executive chef of food company 3663.

Catering students from the college took part as kitchen hands.

The competition was won by George Baird, of Glasgow City Chambers, who was given £500 and a five-day placement at the Michelin-starred Star Inn, at Harome, in North Yorkshire.

Beverley Wilson, a former student at Darlington College and now head chef at Durham County Hall, was third.

Geoff Bennett, honorary secretary of the Association of Civic Hospitality said he hoped the competition could help dispel myths that civic food was not of a high standard.

"These competitions are important in that they show the calibre of staff we have working in civic catering," he said.

"It's not about serving canteen food. Some of these people have been preparing food for royalty, the G8 summit delegates, the President of the United States and Commonwealth Games officials."