Top cooking prize for 18-year-old

A BRITISH apprentice chef is celebrating after being named one of the best in France in a major national competition.

Lexine Hepworth, 18, competed against 14 other finalists in the national search for the Meilleurs Apprentis de France 2009. She left with one of the four gold prizes on offer.

The young apprentice moved to the Lot two years ago when her parents sold their hotel in Chester and bought a riverside restaurant on the banks of the river in Souillac sur Dordogne.

She enrolled at the local lycée hôtelier, and splits her time between preparing for the bac and shifts at the local Michelin-starred Pont De L’Ouysse restaurant.

It was the lycée that put her forward for the award, and Lexine went on to compete at department level before going on to represent the Midi-Pyrénées region in the final.

The competitors were presented with a list of ingredients and tasked to make a main course and dessert.

Lexine made poultry liver mousse and vegetables followed by caramelised apple crumble and orange sauce.

Lexine said: “I was so panicky, but as soon as I got in the kitchen I felt a lot calmer.”

“When I first came to France I didn't really speak much French. I'd go home [from boarding school] every weekend crying. It was so stressful – a complete rollercoaster. But the cooking language came quite easy.

“I definitely want to have my own restaurant when I’m older. Before I settle down I’d like to do a lot of travelling and see the world. That helps when it comes to cooking.”