Winning recipes as dinner ladies do battle for chef of the year title

Kath Breckon, a cook at West Cliff Primary School in the resort, beat off competition from rival chefs from Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds and York in the regional final at Hull College yesterday.

She now goes forward to the national final being held in Sheffield in May.

The five had 90 minutes to prepare a two-course meal suitable for an 11-year-old and costing no more than 1.25.

They also took part in a live "cook off" before a panel of judges including professional chef Simon Rogers, from Hull restaurant the Boar's Nest, and George Smart and Ellie Cooper – both pupils at Hull's Victoria Dock Primary School.

Mrs Bracken, 37, a chef of 20 years, said she was pleased to have won. "I'm delighted but surprised because it was a really high standard."

Mrs Breckon's main course was cassoulet of beef followed by Howard's Delight for dessert.

Joanna Baimbridge, of Reinwood Junior, Infant and Nursery School in Huddersfield, was highly commended for her main course, while the same plaudit went to Veronica Logan, of English Martyrs RC School in York, for her dessert.