A CATERING supervisor has received first prize in a chefs' contest.

Barbara Keen, catering supervisor for Service Stockton at the borough council, won the award at the Association of Civic Hosts, Chef of the Year 2004.

It was fourth time lucky for Ms Keen, who has been second and third in recent years.

She competed against chefs from Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, and had only 90 minutes and £6 to produce her meal.

Her menu was tenderloin of pork wrapped in pancetta, served with chive and parmesan risotto with cep beurre blanc.

For dessert she made dark chocolate fondant with caramel sauce and blood orange ice-cream.