CULINARY students were full of enthusiasm yesterday when they received certificates for their cooking achievements.

The special needs students from Darlington College of Technology produced a lunch which they had prepared to honour the occasion.

Seven of the adult students prepared menus and set the tables for the lunch for family and friends.

The seven had achieved the Trocen qualification, which teaches practical cooking skills, menu planning, hygiene and safety and how to get best value for money for food.

Each of the group is now studying for a City and Guilds qualification in cooking.

Liz Smith, lecturer at the school of hotel, catering and hospitality, said: "This was a special lunch where each of the students received certificates for achievements. They are all now moving towards another qualification."