SERVING up a treasure of a dish is Alison Nicholls, who is hoping to win a national vegetarian cookery competition.

Alison is cook at the Treasurer's House tearoom in York and one of her culinary creations has been chosen as the Yorkshire entry in the National Trust's vegetarian cookery competition.

Her dish will be a Swaledale goat's cheese, leek and tomato tart.

She was one of 137 cooks at National Trust properties across England, Wales and Northern Ireland who were asked to produce a dish for the competition.

Sixteen finalists, including Alison, were chosen to go on to the final.

Alison said: "I have created this dish as it has regional and historical influences, essential for the competition, and I can produce it at a price our customers will be happy with.

"It's a shame that some people have the impression that National Trust tearooms only serve scones - they are missing out on a treat."

Updated: 11:54 Tuesday, July 03, 2001