COLLEGE students have been helping some of the best chefs in the country in a bid to win a national competition.

The catering students from Darlington College acted as commis chefs during the contest to find the civic chef of the year.

Contestants from local authorities all over the country had just 90 minutes to prepare a main course and dessert.

Sponsored by food service company 3663, competitors were judged on their menus, preparation, technique, presentation and taste.

The results will be revealed at an Association of Public Service event, in Oxford, on January 26.

At stake is the prestigious accolade of being civic chef of the year, a trophy, £500 cash prize and champagne.

Organiser Mike Elsom, of Durham County Council, said standards had been exceptionally high and the judging had been difficult.

"Many of the chefs have cooked for royalty and heads of state, so being in their company for the day would have been a fabulous experience.

"The college has been fantastic and the commis were great and worked really hard," he said.