A CHEF has triumphed after beating six others in the regional final to find the Yorkshire and Humber School Chef of the Year 2019.

Matt Betts, 35, won the

competition on Wednesday with a winning menu of fish tacos

and strawberry mousse and shortbread. The competition, which took place at Doncaster College, saw Matt and six other chefs prepare a two-course meal for judges to try.

Matt said: “I’m still in shock that I won, it’s still not sunk in. It was a stressful day but I carried on and kept calm throughout.

“I decided on fish tacos because I wanted to try and get oily fish into menus at school because it has a lot of nutrients that’s good for the kids. It’s also a very sustainable product. I chose strawberry mousse and shortbread biscuit because it’s always a winner at school.”

Matt who works at The Mill Academy, Worsbrough Bridge, now goes on to compete against nine other regional champions in the national final on March 7 in Stratford-upon-Avon. The overall winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize and the 2019 School Chef of the Year trophy. They will also be invited to high-profile catering industry engagements between 2019 2020.