THE York nurse who reached the finals of the BBC’s Masterchef competition will be demonstrating her skills at a fundraising night in the city next week.

Sara Danesin Medio, who narrowly missed out on being crowned Masterchef 2011, will be cooking at the Dean Court Hotel on Wednesday at an event in aid of the York-based Jessie’s Fund.

Working alongside Dean Court head chef, Tony North, Sara will be preparing a menu based on food from her native Italy.

She said: “Masterchef changed my life, and by becoming a much more public figure I have a real opportunity to be of help to the disabled children in the community in York and around the country.”

Jessie’s Fund was established in memory of Park Grove School pupil Jessica George, who was a pupil at Park Grove School. She died from a brain tumour after being diagnosed at the age of nine.

A fund originally intended to send Jessie for therapy in America was unused because the youngster died before making the trip, however her parents, both classical musicians, used the money to create the fund to help severely ill and disabled children through music projects.

Sara added: “I feel very honoured to be fundraising for Jessie’s Fund, since I too fully believe in music as a powerful tool for expression and communication when words cannot be found or extrapolated.”

Organisers say the evening will be a first chance for the public to taste Sara’s food before she launches her dining club business in July.

Music for the event will be provided by Jessie’s parents, and a video will be shown highlighting the work of the fund.

Places are limited to 35 people and cost £35. To book a place, phone 01904 625082.