A YOUNG master chef has found a recipe for success after winning a culinary competition that will see her food served in a North-East restaurant.

Vicky Cartwright, 20, entered the Chef Factor contest organised in recognition of 100 years of gastronomic experiences between hosts Jonathan Hall, Marcus Bennett, Adrian Rummel and Peter Huggins, partners in The Bay Horse in Hurworth, near Darlington, and Muse and Cena in Yarm.

Ms Cartwright, from Darlington, was revealed as the winner by the head chefs of the three eateries after completing a gruelling live cooking challenge.

She said: “Cooking has always been a passion. I've been at home in the kitchen, creating dishes and trying new things for as long as I can remember.

“I'm so pleased to have been a part of the competition, winning is such an honour and I'm looking forward to seeing my dish in lights.”

Ms Cartwright’s dish, ossobuco – a Milanese speciality of veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine and broth, served with risotto, will now feature on the menu at Muse throughout September to celebrate the restaurant’s fifth birthday.

Restaurateur, Mr Bennett, said: “We were impressed with Vicky’s calm attitude in the kitchen and the dish she produced.

“As creator, we have offered Vicky the chance to spend a day in our kitchen, cooking the dish for customers.”

The competition was hosted in refurbished kitchens at Darlington College where Ms Cartwright studied for an NVQ in food preparation and professional cookery.

James Butterfield, head of facilities at Darlington College, said: “Seeing former students developing their skills further in the industry is great to see, especially with the vast array of opportunities it offers for travel, experiences and development from such a young age.”