A BUDDING teenage chef cooked up a storm to scoop first prize in a Masterchef-style contest.

Jack Penlington, of Baxter College, was saved from the chop in the Academy at Kidderminster's Saturday Kitchen Masterchef Competition by his culinary creation of a stir fry followed by a fruit melee.

It was the first time the 15-year-old, of Kidderminster, had taken part in a cooking contest.

"I enjoy making a mixture of things and I'm interested in being a professional chef," he said.

"I'm part of the Junior Academy which runs a course [at the Academy] on Saturdays. This has made me want to study at the Academy after my GCSEs. There's a calm atmosphere which I like and everything's modern.

"This was the first cooking competition I'd ever entered. It was a lot of fun, so I'd take definitely take part in others. I'll be doing barbecues with my family in the meantime."

David Woodward, 15, of Bewdley, was runner-up in the competition. The Bewdley High School and Sixth From Centre student, who is also a fellow Junior Academy member said he enjoyed taking part.

"I've been cooking for most of my life - desserts mainly," he added. "It was nice to have been in the final and show what I could do.”

Jane Smith, head of Kidderminster Academy, said: "Congratulations must go to all our competitors for demonstrating their culinary skills and passion for food to such great effect.

"We had many audience participants who judged our competitors' dishes by voting for their favourites, so thanks must go to them for their support.

"The competition was held as part of the Academy's Open Day and successfully promoted our ethos of encouraging students to learn by doing. Hopefully we can run the event again next year."

Jack and David were awarded their own set of chef whites as well as gift vouchers from catering equipment suppliers, Russums.