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National honour for talented cook Eden

Eden Allsworth, who won the National Juniorchef 2012 competition
Eden Allsworth, who won the National Juniorchef 2012 competition

A talented teenager has put her cooking creativity to good use – and scooped a top national prize.

Former Queenborough Primary School pupil Eden Allsworth won the honour after celebrity chef Gary Rhodes praised her menu as “sensational”.

The 14-year-old took first place in the 10th annual National Juniorchef 2012 competition at Thanet College in Broadstairs on Friday.

She was one of only six young chefs from across the country to be put forward to the final and, after a three-hour cook off, her two-course dish won the judges over.

Eden, who was also a Danley Middle School pupil, got into cooking as both her parents are chefs.

Her mum Donna runs an after-school cooking club at Queenborough Primary and her dad Rob was the sous chef at Sheerness Golf Club for many years.

As well as the title, Eden was also given a trophy, a signed Gary Rhodes book and £300.

All the finalists were treated to a trip to Calais on P&O’s Pride of France, where they were also given a tour and dinner.

Her menu consisted of duo of pan-roasted belly of pork with line-caught sea bass and applewood-smoked mash, plus spring vegetables, followed by lemon tart with orange salad and lemon thyme mascarpone cheese.

Celebrity chef and judge Gary Rhodes with Eden Allsworth
Celebrity chef and judge Gary Rhodes with Eden Allsworth

Mr Allsworth said: “Eden has had an interest ever since I ran the catering at the golf club.

"She reads cookery books and enjoys eating and going out and trying different foods.

"She decided on her menu as she wanted to do a bit of a surf and turf to show her different skills.

“We are incredibly proud of her. It’s a difficult trade but her heart is in it. There was incredible talent there, so we are over the moon.”

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