Last updated 11:45, Thursday, 27 March 2008

THE University of Cumbria’s Head Chef, David Gunn, has been mentoring 13-year-old Meg Leslie to cookery success at the national FutureChef 2008 competition.

The university has also been sponsoring Meg, providing her with food and cooking utensils to help her practise her skills in the campus kitchen.

Meg won the North West regional final in Manchester in January. She will take her place in the national final in London to prepare and cook a two-course meal consisting of a hot main course and a hot or cold dessert for two from a specially selected basket of ingredients provided prior to the final. A panel of celebrity and other well-respected chefs will judge the contestants.

David – head chef on the university’s Fusehill Street Campus in Carlisle – said: “Meg has shown great skill and determination to reach the national final. It takes a lot of talent and hard work to reach that point and I’m very pleased that I have been able to act as her mentor in preparing for the big day.”

Now in its eighth year, FutureChef is designed to help young people aged 12 to 16 learn about food and how to cook, and is based on a nationwide, four-staged competition.