A YOUNG chef at a prestigious Worcestershire hotel is on her way to the top with a coveted national award.

Sue Ellis, who is junior sous chef at Wood Norton Hall, near Evesham, has been named Nestle Young Chef of the Year.

The 22-year-old, who attended Pershore High School and studied catering at Worcester College of Technology, won the award after a gruelling two-hour practical exam.

Miss Ellis was not as nervous as she might have been, however, having come second in last year's competition.

"It was very nerve-racking but I managed to stay quite calm. Because I did it last year, I knew what to expect," said Miss Ellis, who started at the BBC-owned, four-star country house hotel as an apprentice three-and-a-half-years ago.

Miss Ellis fought off hundreds of other hopefuls to get to the final in Birmingham earlier this month, and had to impress Ready-Steady-Cook chef Brian Turner and top London chef John Burton Race, of the Landmark Hotel.

Her three-course menu comprised seared fillet of sea bass on oven-dried cherry tomatoes, with crisp parmesan and rocket salad and a basil pesto, followed by poached duck wrapped in cabbage leaves with crispy duck skin and confit of duck leg, served with parsnip puree and roasted garlic and thyme beetroot.

Dessert was iced chocolate parfait with hot chocolate fondant and passion fruit syrup.

The young chef, who holds NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 in hotel and hospitality catering, is ambitious.

"I want to work my way up at Wood Norton Hall. Here is where I want to be," she said.

She paid tribute to head chef, Steve Waites, who spent many hours helping her perfect the competition dishes.

"I could never have done it without his help," she said.

"I had to practise for days on end to get the dish exactly how I wanted it and he would stay behind and help and offer advice and keep interrupting with questions, which is what they do on the day so you have to get used to it."

Eventually, Miss Ellis would like to open her own restaurant, after seeing some more of the world.

"I want to travel first and see what's about - get some ideas - and then come back to this area and settle down. I like it here."