A TALENTED chef from Worcester has won the under 23s Gold Award at the West of England Chef v Chef competition.

The gong was scooped by Louisa May Matthews, who is studying at Worcester College of Technology and working at The Elms Restaurant in Abberley.

The City of Bath College event saw west of England chefs go head to head in a Masterchef-style contest. Miss Mathews beat Ben McCubbin and Michael Mellard, both from Bath, who won silver and bronze.

“I tried to stay calm and keep it simple. In a competition it is important to cook what you know you can do, but to do it to the very best of your ability,” Miss Matthews said.

She attends college in Worcester three days a week then works in the restaurant on the other two days.

The winners won £250 each, a Chef v Chef Regional Aqua Glass trophy, champagne and other prizes.