Thee culinary experts at Cumbrian restaurants have made it to the semi finals of a prestigious culinary competition as they seek to be crowned Britain's best young chef.

Ben Champkin and Sam Nash, both 25-year-old sous chefs at Cartmel's L'Enclume, and Aaron Lawrence from the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House at Crook Road, Windermere, are all vying for a place in the final of the Roux Scholarship.

The Roux Scholarship has been running more than 30 years and is judged by Michel Roux Jnr (BBC Saturday Kitchen, Kitchen Impossible, Masterchef), Brian Turner CBE (BBC's Ready, Steady, Cook) and James Martin (BBC Saturday Kitchen, This Morning and Saturday Morning with James Martin) among many other Michelin-starred chefs.

Best friends Ben and Sam said going up against one another made for healthy competition.

"We've worked together for three-and-a-half years, so we've been helping each other and running through things together, it's good."

"28-year-old Aaron, originally from Derbyshire, is in his second stint working in the luxury Gilpin Hotel, and said it was an incredible opportunity to take part in the competition.

"It can make the rest of your career and it opens up so many doors to you," he said.

The Roux Scholarship is a competition for chefs under 30 who are working as chefs in the UK. The competition element is tough. It is based on technical skill, a strong palate and deep appreciation and understanding of the history of classical cooking.

However, the competition is only the start. What happens next is what really matters. The winning prize is a three-month stage at any three star Michelin restaurant in the world. All expenses paid.

The regional finals are at Ealing, London and Birmingham on Thursday March 8. They are held simultaneously and the three Cumbrian chefs have been split between the groups.