A BIT of grit in her spinach cost 15-year-old Ella Williams the title of National Junior Chef of the Year judged by star chef Gary Rhodes.
Ella, who goes to High Storrs School and is being mentored by Castle College catering lecturer Len Unwin, says: "Gary told me it was very close.
"I lost out on first place because in washing the spinach I left a tiny bit of grit in it. I couldn't have done so well had it not been for Len's support.
Ella, studying for her NVQ in catering, cooked salmon three ways: smoked salmon as a dauphinoise, roasted salmon with broad bean stew and with chives as a boudin (sausage) on buttered spinach.
Ella, who finished second, was among eight finalists chosen to cook at Thanet College in Kent from over 200 entries.
Len is no stranger to winning awards. Two years ago he won the Steelite International Skills for Chefs final and got a trip to Chicago.
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