A TWENTY-one-year-old Lake District chef has made the finals of the Young Chef of the Year 2018.

Ollie Fitton, a junior sous chef at The Ryebeck, Bowness-on-Windermere, is one of 12 hopefuls selected after submitting an original four-course menu at £45 per head.

The competition, in its second year, is hosted by the M Restaurants group and Michelin's Bookatable, with Champagne Pommery.

Ollie and his fellow finalists, all aged under 29, are said to hail from some of the finest restaurants across the UK. Their menus included costings for 50 covers.

The young chefs have been put through their paces in two competition rounds, under the eyes of Michael Reid, chief executive of the M group, and other guest judges.

Finalists have now been invited to M Restaurant Victoria Street, in London, to cook in a series of "pop-up takeover nights" from July 3 to 28. Diners and judges will vote for their favourite chef each evening.

Ollie's night at the venue's RAW restaurant is Thursday, July 12, from 6pm to 9pm (for bookings, visit www.bookatable.co.uk/m-wine-store-victoria-london).

July's judges will include chefs and personalities such as Adam Handling, Andy Lynes, Claudio Cardoso, Sophie Michell, Daniel Watkins, Jose Pizarro, Michael Wignall, Steve Dinneen, Sudi Pigott and Tom Kemble.

Ollie, who trained at Bury College, said: "I’m looking forward to the pop-up in London. Having this opportunity to create menus that reflect my personality and my food ethos is immense.

"Once you get over the slightly daunting fact that you are being judged by some of the UK’s top chefs, as well as the paying public, you can really focus on showcasing your food.’"

He added: "When I was at college I was inspired by some of the chefs who are judging me. I just hope I’m lucky enough in the future to be able to inspire kids coming through schools and colleges to get involved in cooking in professional kitchens, so let's see what happens."

The winner and runner-up, to be announced on July 31, will receive a five-day "pop-up residency" in the 50-cover RAW restaurant at M Victoria St, a trip to Champagne Pommery in Reims and a set of Blenheim Forge Knives.