Ceri Jones, of Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron, representing the Rotary Club of Aberaeron, came out on top in the zone final of the Rotary Young Chef of the Year competition. The final, held at Pembroke School, Bush, saw six young chefs keenly competing for the right to represent the zone at the District 1150 (South Wales) final, to be held at Neath Port Talbot College in February. The winner there will go on to the regional final in Gloucestershire Cat Technical College in March, and with further success on to the National Final in April to be held at Westminster College, London. The National Final is sponsored by Bertoli, with the winner receiving, along with the undoubted prestige, a trip to Italy together with a day in the kitchens of Jamie Oliver's 'Fifteen' Restaurant. With such prizes on offer, it was no surprise that everyone pulled out all the stops, and taking part with Ceri, was runner-up Kirsty Jones, Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, representing the Rotary Club of Cardigan, along with Kimberley Nicholson, of Pembrokeshire College, representing the Rotary Club of Tenby, Haley Daniel, of Penglais School, representing the Rotary Club of Aberystwyth, Emma Thomas, of Pembroke School, representing the Rotary Club of Pembroke, and Jessica Morgan, Ysgol Gyfun Dyffryn Taf, representing the Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland. Having the difficult and unenviable task of choosing the winner were judges Mrs. Muriel Bowskill (retired head of food technology and design, Pembroke School) and Mr. Tim Commons (manager of the Cliff Hotel, Gwbert), who had also very kindly donated a prize for the winner of dinner for two at the Cliff Hotel. Rotarian Tony Park CBE, assistant governor Zone 1, presented certificates and prizes to all contestants, paying full tribute to Ceri and her fellow contestants. In addition, Tony warmly thanked the judges for giving their valuable time, and also Mrs. Sue Reynolds (head of design and technology) and her team at Pembroke School for all their hard work in once again hosting the final so ably. Thanks were also given to Rotarians J. Rogers, of the Rotary Club of Pembroke, and Rotarian Ian Lampert, of the Rotary Club of Aberaeron, who is the District young chef organiser.