STAFF at a Lake District pub are celebrating after one of its young chefs beat off competition to bag a prestigious title.

Arthur Quinn , chef at The Punch Bowl Inn, at Crosthwaite, was awarded the 2015 Cumbria Young Chef of the Year title after impressing judges with his creative use of local ingredients.

The 19-year-old battled it out against three other finalists under 23 from Keswick’s Skiddaw Hotel, Windermere’s Ryebeck and three AA Rosette Storrs Hall.

“It was a really good experience and I learned so much," said Arthur. "I cook what I like to eat so when I was planning my menu, I looked at what food was in season and local, but then tried loads of ingredients to see what was tasty."

All four chefs had to create a three course menu using locally soured produce to serve to judges during a two-and-a-half hour cook off at Kendal College on Thursday, March 26.

Arthur’s menu was enough to secure a much-coveted place representing the county at the North West Regional Final in Manchester on May 7.

He served up Stornoway black pudding Scotch egg with Lyth valley damsons, followed by west coast wild sea bass with cauliflower, raisins, XL diver scallop, and finished off with soaked coffee sponge with glazed pear, honey and Armagnac.

The Crosthwaite inn's head chef Scott Fairweather won the same award in 2012 and has been instrumental in progressing, developing and encouraging Arthur to reach competition level.

He said: “I’m so proud of Arthur and this accolade is well-deserved after all his hard work. I’m sure he’s going to be one to watch in the future.”

Arthur will now go on to attend a master class with an acclaimed chef to hone skills with the industry’s best before competing against the other regional winners.