CELEBRITY chef Gary Rhodes opened a new food technology room at Senacre Technology College in Maidstone. He unveiled a plaque to officially open the recently-upgraded room which now contains new equipment and has been adapted to make it easier for physically disabled children to use.

A group of pupils prepared some traditional Kentish dishes which the chef sampled before passing on a few culinary tips. To aid the digestion process, he was then taken on a tour of the school's new dining room.

Head teacher Sheila Storey said: "Many of our pupils are extremely enthusiastic and talented young cooks and we have tried to create an environment to support and encourage this.

"I was so proud of the children. Gary said they were wonderful ambassadors for the school and he was very impressed with the standard of their food."