NEWLY crowned Young Chef of the Year Hannah Fletcher has admitted that she would rather carve out a career in a courtroom than a kitchen.

The 14-year-old, who scoo-ped The Northern Echo's Young Chef of the Year award at Darlington College of Technology last week, wants to train as a lawyer.

Hannah, of Hummersknott Avenue, in Darlington, claims that despite beating off stiff opposition at the finals she still treats cooking as a hobby.

She said: "I enjoy cooking and I spend a lot of time cooking with my mother, but it is only really a hobby.

"I'm really pleased to have won the title, but I would like to become a lawyer or an actress when I leave school."

Hannah, who is a pupil at Hummerskott Comprehensive School, impressed the judges with a winning menu of seared scallops with red peppers and Parma ham, followed by a dessert of white and dark chocolate mousse.

She received a cheque for £100 and a silver trophy.

Runner up was 12-year-old Nicola Ramsay, from Bedale.