WISBECH Grammar School student Josh Timms has cooked his way into the district final of the Rotary Young Chef of the Year contest.

The talented chef wowed the judges, pipping competitors William Sloan, Jade Warrington and James Belcher to reach the East Anglian final.

The students had two hours to cook a three-course meal, within a budget of �15, at the food technology department at the College of West Anglia.

Judges Colin Sussams, from Somerville School of Cookery in Terrington St John, Jo Hart, who studied at Westminster Catering College, and Roger Almond and Jon Martin, both Wisbech Rotary Club members, praised the “high standards” of all the entries.

Aspiring chef Josh took one step closer to Tuscany by triumphing in the heats. The young star will compete in the district final for a chance to progress to the regional and national finals.

The national winner will scoop a trip for two to Tuscany to visit Filippo Berio’s Olive Groves and sample the delights of Italian Cuisine, as well a day’s tuition with a Michelin-star chef in the UK, and a cash prize of �250.

Wisbech Rotary Club thanked staff at the grammar school and Marshland High School for their help and sponsors Elgood’s Brewery and Kier Eastern.