BUDDING North-East chefs donned their aprons and hats for the launch of a pocket guide to the best restaurants and cafes in the region.

The Tees Valley Eating Out Guide was unveiled at Sardis restaurant, in Darlington, in the presence of junior chefs from Middlesbrough College, who showed off culinary skills.

About 15,000 copies of the guide, which is in its second year, are being sent to businesses across the Tees Valley, Durham, Tyne and Wear and North Yorkshire.

This year's guide is different in that those eateries listed must give a commitment to undertake training for staff.

Chris Mann, chairman of guide compilers Premier Crew, who is also head of Middlesbrough College's hospitality and catering department, said: "We all understand the importance of turning out suitably qualified and trained people, who are able to play a leading role in maintaining high quality standards in eating places around the Tees Valley."

Salvatore Obinu, whose Sardi's Mediterranean restaurant is included in the guide, said: "The demand for chefs is going up and up, but unfortunately the number of people taking up catering is becoming less and less.

"You have got to have a passion for the profession and a dedication to the job."