TWO North-East Dinner ladies will go head-to-head in the regional finals of the School Chef of the Year award.

Joanne Stoddart of Wingate, east Durham and Mary Barraclough of Hardwick, Stockton, will battle it out at the Cheshire Cookery School, Altrincham, Cheshire, on Wednesday.

Against the clock and under the scrutiny of a panel of judges, they will have to prepare four portions of a main course and a dessert suitable for serving to 11 year olds in school.

They will have 90 minutes and a maximum spend of £1.30 is allowed for the cost of a single meal – one main course and dessert.

Mary, who works at Abbey Hill Academy and Sixth Form, will serve spicy basil and tomato chicken with turmeric and raisin rice and chargrilled vegetables as a main course and coconut, orange and raspberry panna cotta tart as a dessert.

Joanne’s of Wellfield School in Wingate, will serve a zesty salmon and kale fishcake with sweet potato wedges and a rustic pea puree as a main and Allotment Butterfly, comprising a vegetable muffin topped with orange infused crème fraiche

The winner from the regional heat will go on to represent the North East & Scotland, against nine other Regional Champions, in the National Final on March 2.

The North East & Scotland Final will take place jointly with the Yorkshire & Humber Final with separate winners for each. A total of seven chefs will be cooking in the kitchen.