CHEFS have entertained students from the North-East with a Ready, Steady Cook-style show.

Winner Marjan Lesnik, a former Harrods chef, impressed the audience with his culinary creation after going head-to-head with David Hunt, executive chef for Sodexho UK.

Mr Lesnik, from Slovenia, made mouths water by cooking lamb with cous cous and basil gravy. It was served with caramelised mushrooms and spicy baked tomatoes with a spicy yoghurt for dessert.

He had half an hour to come up with the concoction after being given random ingredients worth £6.

The event was held earlier this week at County Hall, Durham, as part of at the Association of Spring Hosts Conference, which is hosted by the county council.

Mr Lesnik said: "Providing good food is essential. There is no need to have anything inferior or mediocre."