Aspiring young chefs from Chancellor’s School have been shortlisted to cook in the final of a national competition judged by celebrity chef Lesley Waters.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Grisha Chirayath's summer vegetable and pesto rose tart. Pictuer: Dupree CreativeGrisha Chirayath's summer vegetable and pesto rose tart. Pictuer: Dupree Creative (Image: Dupree Creative)

The eight future Bourdains and Nigellas will take part in a cook-off in the Teflon Diamond Standard Awards on January 24 at the Waitrose Cookery School London, for a chance to win a prestigious chefs’ scholarship with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

Pupils Kendra Addy, Grisha Chirayath, Neeve Dunsmuir, Milly Lloyd, Evie Lovett and Scarlett Reid are finalists in the Keen Young Cooks category for 12 to 16-year-olds, while Yasmin Bedford and Precious Onyeiwe have reached the final of the Aspiring Student Chef category for 16 to 18-year-olds.

On the pupils’ menu in the Masterchef-style competition are dishes such as a beetroot, shallot, and goats cheese tarte tatin; quail with parsnip puree, blackberry jus and savoy cabbage with pancetta; and spiced pheasant with roast pepper pappardelle.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Evie Lovett's roast butternut squash, spinach and mushroom lasagne. Picture: Dupree CreativeEvie Lovett's roast butternut squash, spinach and mushroom lasagne. Picture: Dupree Creative (Image: Dupree Creative)

Head judge Lesley Waters said: “I shall be looking for the right attitude and passion for their subject.

“Originality and basic skills are essential along with determination and flair.”

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Yasmin Bedford's quail witth parsnip puree, blackberry jus and savoy cabbage with pancetta. Picture: Dupree CreativeYasmin Bedford's quail witth parsnip puree, blackberry jus and savoy cabbage with pancetta. Picture: Dupree Creative (Image: Dupree Creative)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Neeve Dunsmuir's pear and chocolate millefeuille. Picture: Dupree CreativeNeeve Dunsmuir's pear and chocolate millefeuille. Picture: Dupree Creative (Image: Dupree Creative)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Scarlett Reid's quince tarte tatinScarlett Reid's quince tarte tatin (Image: Dupree Creative)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Milly Lloyd's pistachio nut and clementine cake. Picture: Dupree CreativeMilly Lloyd's pistachio nut and clementine cake. Picture: Dupree Creative (Image: Dupree Creative)