A CHEF from Consett has been cooking up a storm in a regional culinary contest.

Lee McKinnell Harrison took the crown at the annual NECTA Future Chef competition at Newcastle Racecourse.

The level three Gateshead College student was mentored by professional chefs at Marco Pierre White’s at Hotel Indigo in Newcastle and was crowned winner after wowing judges with his lamb, pak choi and spring vegetable dish.

Sophie Hardy, marketing co-ordinator at Continental Chef Supplies, which sponsors the event, said: “We’d like to extend our congratulations to Lee, the other finalists, the tutors and mentors for all of their fantastic efforts.

“The standard of dishes was phenomenal this year and just goes to show what amazing culinary talent we have to celebrate in the North-East.

“It’s great to see so many businesses coming together and supporting the next generation of our hospitality industry and we’re looking forward to growing and evolving Future Chef from strength to strength”.

Lee will receive a one week residential trip to Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir to work alongside some of the biggest names in the culinary world as well as a host of other prizes.

Second place went to Newcastle College’s Alisha Goldsbrough, who was mentored at Café 21 and third place was Elliott Teasdale, mentored at The Broad Chare, from Gateshead College.

Runner up was Chris Hall from Tyne Met College, mentored at The Keel Row, Seaton Delaval.