A SEDBERGH schoolgirl has been crowned the chef of the year after battling it out in a junior competition.

Settlebeck School pupil Annabelle Brewer, 16, bagged the title of Schools Junior Chef of the Year 2015 following a heated cook off at Kendal College.

Up against nine other finalists, the Year 11 student had to devise and prepare three courses for a panel of foodie judges.

“I really enjoyed the competition, but it was challenging preparing and cooking all three dishes in front of the judges in just 2 and a half hours," she said.

The 10 budding young chefs from six schools in Cumbria and north Lancashire were shortlisted from 45 initial paper entries which detailed the students’ proposals for an original three course meal showcasing Cumbrian produce.

But it was Annabelle's menu that won over the judges made up of Stephen Doherty, of Windermere's First Floor Cafe, McClure's sales manager Graham Gelder and Gillian Cowburn, marketing manager at Ingleton's Country Harvest.

To start Annabelle made tomato tarte tatin on a bed of Wensleydale cheese and rocket salad served with honey and mustard vinaigrette.

For the main she whipped up Italian baked rabbit with green olives and lemon and to finish she served up a sticky toffee roulade - the winning dessert.

"I made sticky toffee roulade because mum follows a gluten free diet and so it’s nice to choose desserts she could eat,” added Annabelle.

Judge Mr Doherty said: “Annabelle’s food was cooked with a high level of skill, which was way beyond her years.

"All of the judges were nervous about her brave choice of main course, but she knew exactly how to deal with cooking rabbit on the bone.

"It was evident that she had done her research and instinctively knew how to cook. Her dessert blew us away and all of the judges were extremely impressed.”

As well as winning a range of prizes, Annebelle cook her winning menu for 50 invited guests at Kendal College’s Restaurant in February.

Kirkbie Kendal School pupil Rosie Toms was highly recommended for her menu while fellow pupil Daisy Purcell won best starter.

Best main went to Kirkby Lonsdale's Queen Elizabeth School student Jada Robinson.