A SUPERCHEF from Droitwich served up a sizzling dish to win herself a place in the final of a national competition.

Josephine Banks, aged 16, showed that she has the potential to be a top chef by winning the FutureChef 2005 West Midlands title with a stunning duo of dishes.

"I was shocked and delighted to win on Saturday," she said. "It was a bit scary to be in an open kitchen where everyone could see you cooking - I had to be extra tidy."

Josephine, a pupil at Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School, won a place in the regional final held in Birmingham after winning the local heats at Worcester College of Technology back in November.

She and her fellow competitors faced the challenging task of cooking and presenting a main course and dessert for two people, within a budget of £7.50 under the watchful eyes of the judges.

"I am really looking forward to going down to London for the final. I will have to select my menu from a mystery basket of ingredients provided by SuperChef, which should be great fun."

Josephine won a set of chef's knives, as well as dinner for a family of four in the Garden Brasserie at the Novotel Birmingham Centre Hotel.

She will travel to London on Friday, March 11, to compete in the grand final, when she could win the coveted title and an all-expenses paid trip to London, enjoying dinner at an exclusive restaurant and an overnight stay at a top hotel.