PUPILS at Lornshill Academy put their culinary skills to the test last week as they took part in a school heat for a nationwide cooking competition.

Last Tuesday, October 3, they cooked up a storm and demonstrated their own creativity as part of the prestigious FutureChef contest.

The entries were judged by Councillor Les Sharp, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, and chef Mark Heirs.

The event was organised by two home economics teachers at the school, Amy Walls and Leigh Howie.

Miss Walls said: “For the school heats we asked pupils to come up with their own recipe for a main meal to serve to two people.

“Pupils had a budget of £5 to do this and 50 minutes to make and serve their dish.

“We had 13 pupils entered into the school heat and all done amazing.

“The competition is a fabulous opportunity to raise the profile of hospitality, get pupils engaged in the subject and also open up possible job opportunities for the future.

“We have noticed a massive enthusiasm towards the hospitality sector, helped by the entry into this competition.”

S5 pupil Rhona Cameron, who served up Moussaka, and S4’s Dillon Turner, who made beef burgers, will go on to represent Lornshill at the next stage of the contest.

FutureChef, from Springboard, aims to support the food curriculum, teach life skills and promote healthy eating.

The competition is open to those aged 12-16-years-old who have an interest in hospitality.

There are four rounds and the final stage is judged by industry and celebrity chefs.