The winner of St Albans Rotary Young Chef competition has been announced.

Thirteen-year-old Ella Powles of St Albans High School for Girls cooked a menu of crisp-skinned rainbow trout with potatoes, beetroot and horseradish sauce followed by hot lemon sponge.

She was presented with a silver salver by the Deputy Mayor of St Albans, Councillor Janet Churchard, at the event held at Marlborough Science Academy. 

Twelve young cooks aged from 12 to 16 years took part in the competition, each cooking a two-course meal for two people. The contestants attend four local schools: St Albans High School for Girls, Beaumont School, Marlborough Science Academy and Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School. 

Councillor Janet Churchard said: "I was extremely impressed by the high standard of cooking from these talented young cooks. They showed great imagination and demonstrated skills that will be of use to them all their lives. On behalf of St Albans District, I offer my best wishes to all the contestants and heartiest congratulations to the winner."  

The competition was organised by the Rotary Club of St Albans Verulamium. 

Neil Harris of the Rotary Club of St Albans Verulamium said: "We are very grateful to St Albans Deputy Mayor for supporting this year’s St Albans Rotary Young Chef competition. Many congratulations go to all the contestants, and especially to Ella Powles. Each of the entrants cooked to an extremely high standard and demonstrated great skill. We wish Ella every success in the next round of the competition."

Ella will go forward to the competition for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Young Chefs in February 2015.