SCHOOLCHILDREN have been rising to the challenge after being taught how to bake in bulk by experts at Darlington College.

Thirty year ten children from Staindrop Comprehensive School got their first taste of the new industrial kitchens at the college as part of a project.

As part of their GCSE foods technology course, they needed to be able to produce food on a large scale, but did not have the necessary equipment at school.

Darlington College, which is a centre of vocational excellence for catering, came to their aid by lending them the kitchens, the kit and the know-how.

Children spent the day producing 200 mince pies, 100 bread rolls, 150 loaves and a pile of yuletide chocolate logs.

College tutor Donna Joyce said: "I think it is great that schools are encouraging young people to explore the wonders of food and consider catering as a career. It was a pleasure to show them the sort of equipment used in the industry and they really seemed to enjoy themselves."

Pupils Vicky Robinson and Sarah Thompson already have an eye on a future in catering.

"I want to be a chef in the Royal Navy so I can travel the world as well as cook," said Vicky, 14, of Barnard Castle.

Sarah, 14, of Eggleston, said: "I want to be a top chef in a really posh restaurant. I think the college is great because it's like working in a proper restaurant."