BUDDING student chefs brought a taste of the North- East to the regional final of a cookery competition.

The hospitality and catering trainees from New College in Durham won their way through to the final stages of the Torque d'or competition, held in Glasgow.

Open to further education establishments throughout the UK, New College was one of only four to make it through to the competition's regional final.

The students had to prepare a three-course meal for 20 people and were judged on a variety of elements, such as theme of the meal, appearance, hygiene, cost and taste.

The students chose a Geordie Belter theme for their competition menu, which consisted of the finest quality local produce, including a Northumbrian loin of lamb for the main course.

Though they did not make it through to the grand final the students were praised for their entry.

The chefs included Adrian Pickering, Paul Johnson, Christopher Fisher, Simone Jones and Peter Hewart - all final year students studying hospitality and catering at New College.

Their tutor, Richard Salkeld, said: "The students did really well and the competition provided them with a great experience."

He said it was the first time in 16 years that students at the college had taken part in the Torque d'or competition and pledged that they would "definitely be competing next year".