THIS school chef cooked up a storm when she took part in a competition to name the region's best.

Chris Brooksbank, catering manager at Archbishop Holgate's School, in York, was one of nine cooks who made it through to the regional finals in School Chef Of The Year 2007 - a competition organised by the Local Authority Caterers' Association.

Although Chris did not win out on the day, her dishes did win special praise from the judges in the tense cook-off held at York College.

Chris said: "I didn't win, but I did get good verbal reports about it. I have won other competitions - but you win and you lose."

Competition organisers put their contestants to the test by asking them to cook a two-course meal in one and a half hours that would appeal to an 11-year-old.

The whole menu was expected to cost no more than 80p a head for one child.

Chris cooked a rustic chicken casserole and a black cherry and grape cheese tart - which she said had been pronounced "outstanding" by one of the judges.

Hannah Downes and Brodie Craven, 11-year-old pupils from All Saints' Lower School, in York, were on the competition judging panel.