A COOK-OFF final has brought a taste of success for a team of chefs from Herefordshire College of Technology.

Of 17 colleges in the first round of judging, they were one of 10 teams picked for a cook-off final at Stratford-upon-Avon College.

Students Naomi Huckle and Jemma O'Connor, studying NVQ3, teamed up in the kitchen with Mathew McKenzie, studying NVQ2 Food Service.

They had just 90 minutes to cook their own choice of menu and serve it to two guests in the college restaurant and another portion for the chef judges, plus offer appropriate wines and serve coffee.

On a hot day in an unfamiliar environment, they served up pan-fried pigeon breast and minted pea pancakes with port wine sauce, griddled fillet of John Dory with a warm Asian salad and a warm spiced lemon and sour cream cake, summer berry compote and citrus cream.

Their tutor, Roderick Dawson, was locked outside and could only watch through the kitchen windows as the students sweated it out from the heat and nerves to finish sixth.

It was well worth it. As well as making friends with other competitors in the Midlands Association of Chefs Student Challenge Cook and Serve Team 2005 Competition, the finalists all came away with framed certificates, embroidered jackets and waistcoats and a year's membership of the association, worth £15 to students.

The college is considering entering two teams next year.

"We must be doing something right," said a college spokesman. "Our Cider Orchard Restaurant has been full to bursting over the past 18 months.

"In our efforts, thanks must go to the Left Bank Village, Gilbies, the Coffee Bean Company and the Three Choirs Vineyard at Newent.

"The fabulous wines received rave reviews from the wine merchants at the competition."