ASPIRING chefs from a Denbigh secondary school have been nominated for a county-wide competition that tests their up-and-coming culinary skills.

Pupils in year seven at Denbigh High School took part in the school-stage of the ‘Great Denbighshire Menu’, a competition run by Denbighshire County Council looking to encourage young people to get involved in cooking and teach skills to look after themselves.

The podium finishes went to Freya Messham (first), Molly Mersino (second) and Joe Anderson (third) who were judged to have made the finest vegetable risotto and salad garnish in their school.

Mark Young, councillor for Denbigh Lower, joined headteacher Paul Evans to judge the pupils’ performances and was surprised by the level of the pupils' cooking. Cllr Young said: "The competition was really difficult because of the fantastic effort made by pupils.

"I was astonished by their knowledge and passion for cooking, both boys and girls.

"The competition is a credit to Denbighshire County Council and Denbigh High School and the pupils; it is a great initiative that gets young people thinking about how to look after themselves and what's good and bad to eat, which will in turn help create a better quality of life.

"If we can all get into the habit of understanding what we're cooking and where it comes from, we can create a healthier Wales."

The pupils will now go on to compete in the county finals at the end of the year.