A CHEF from Oakworth Primary School found the ingredient for success in the regional heats of a cooking contest.

Now Kirsty McAndrew will mix it with the country's best in the national School Chef of the Year final.

She and fellow Yorkshire & Humberside contenders had just an hour-and-a-half to create four portions of a two-course menu.

Kirsty came up with sticky chicken noodle stir fry, soy-glazed chicken with egg noodles and Chinese-style stir fry vegetables for her main course, and for dessert she made a banana custard cheesecake with granola.

Judging was by Sharon Armstrong, of school food organisation LACA UK, which organises the competition, and Louise Wagstaffe, of sponsor Premier Foods.

Finalists will now do battle over two days, next Wednesday and Thursday (July 5/6), in Birmingham for the overall national crown.

A competition spokesperson says: "Kirsty’s winning menu was delicious and we congratulate her on reaching the final."