STUDENTS will tomorrow compete in the regional final of the Toque d'Or catering competition.

Winners of the event at Middlesbrough College could cook their way to the grand final of the Daily Telegraph's House and Garden Fair at Olympia in London in June, where they will be challenged to cater for 100 members of the paying public and judges.

Teams competing tomorrow include students from Thomas Danby College in Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle Colleges.

Renowned chef Brian Turner - one of the stars of TV's Ready, Steady, Cook - is chairman of the judging panel.

Event organiser Martin Webster, from Nestle food services, said the number of entries this has risen significantly and whittling the 100 entrants down to the 18 teams in the regional finals had proved difficult.

He said: "We have been enormously impressed by the quality of the entrants and look forward to a tough competition that will bring to the forefront the next generation of talented chefs."

The four finalists will be announced later this month