YOUNG masterchefs from Bolton found themselves under the watchful eye of a former Royal Chef as they showcased their culinary skills.

For they took part in Blackburn College’s Young Chef competition.

Year 10 and 11 pupils from schools across Lancashire learned new culinary skills including bread making, patisserie and how to cater for large groups during four Saturday morning sessions.

The event, which offers potential catering and hospitality students a taste of what life is like on a course at Blackburn College was attended by pupils from Canon Slade.

Under the watchful eye of the college’s expert tutors, including a former Buckingham Palace chef Kevin Swales, hospitality tutor, the youngsters tackled everything from sausage rolls and sandwiches to sticky toffee pudding — and had the chance to get hands on experience in the college’s three catering kitchens and bakeries.

Dermot Gallagher, schools liaison advisor at Blackburn College said: “This was first time many of the students had been in a catering standard kitchen and they grasped the opportunity to learn from our head chefs and bakers with both hands, producing a fantastic range of dishes from scratch including vegetable and meat pies, chocolate brownies and a buffet for 70 people.

“The Young Chef event gives young people a real taste of what it’s like to work in the catering and hospitality industry, and a flavour of some of our most popular college courses such as professional cookery, patisserie and confectionary and food and beverage supervision.

“These courses not only help students develop valuable kitchen, front of house and customer service skills, but also provide practical industry experience."

Blackburn College’s catering department has more than one Royal connection.

Ian Sutherland, Patisserie tutor, has made two Royal Wedding cakes and was also involved with the Young Chefs initiative.