71813-27A YOUNG chef from the Cold Harbour pub has cooked up a treat in a national competition.

Daniel Barnes, 18, took part in the Chef and Brewer competition this week and pitted his skills against six others vying for the title of chef of the year.

Daniel, of Highworth, has worked at the Cold Harbour in Blunsdon for two-and-a-half years and had never entered a competition before.

He said: "I was very nervous. I was competing against people much older than me with years of experience."

Daniel didn't get through to the semi-finals but believes he has what it takes to win in future. "I'm still young and am doing my training, but in a couple of years I want to be a head chef."

For the competition, Daniel had to cook a starter, a main course and a dessert in an hour. He made a diced bacon, sun-dried tomato and grated Stilton salad, followed by a rack of lamb on a bed of sweet potatoes with roasted vegetables. For dessert, he made a lemon and ginger shortcake.

He said: "I was pleased with the food I presented and think the judges were impressed considering I was so young compared to the others. I've already started thinking about next year and what I'll make."