SOME of the best young chefs from across the North-East pitted their culinary skills against each other in the kitchens of a Durham college.

More than 90 people took part in the Major Series National Culinary Challenge, held in conjunction with the Craft Guild of Chefs, at New College Durham on Friday (May 16).

The catering competition, sponsored by Major International Foods, is part of a series held at only three hand-picked colleges across the UK.

This is the fourth consecutive year the competition has been held at New College Durham, the only college outside of the south of the country to hold the event.

New College Durham catering and hospitality lecturer Paul Richardson said: “We were proud to have been chosen to host this high profile event yet again and enjoyed a high level of entries."

In addition to New College Durham, other colleges and professional chefs from the North-East were invited to participate, including Leeds City College, Hartlepool College of Further Education, and TyneMet College, as well as four professionals from the Craft Guilds of Chefs.

The competition included a host of live displays in the college’s training kitchen, including cocktails, table setting, and live flambe cooking.

There were also static displays of main courses, desserts, sweets, and breads.