The eight year-old champion of Young Cooks 2018 presided over a VIP luncheon where she served her winning menu to 30 guests – including an MP and a mayor.

Boglar Bote-Godri, of St Nicholas Primary Academy, was crowned overall winner of Young Cooks at a MasterChef-style final staged in November. The New Romney youngster was the first primary school finalist in the history of the contest to be named champion.

Her prize included the champion’s trophy, £200 in prize money, and the chance to take on head chef duties for the Young Cooks 2018 celebration luncheon - where she prepared sea bass with sautéed smoked bacon and a red wine jus followed by cinnamon panna cotta.

The celebration was staged on Friday (January 18) at award-winning gastro-pub The Dog at Wingham and attended by the Young Cooks judging panel along with dignitaries including Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield and Mayor of Dover Cllr Susan Jones.

Ms Duffield was impressed by Boglar’s achievements, saying: “She’s made sea bass, which is pretty incredible. I can’t do that and this little girl is eight! So well done to Boglar, who is absolutely fantastic - I’m in awe of her cooking skills.”

Cllr Jones said: “This is an absolutely amazing occasion to celebrate this sort of skill in young people. I don’t think I could even boil an egg at Boglar’s age! I hope this experience shows her that she can go anywhere she wants in the world, and share her skills with everyone - because we have certainly all enjoyed being guests here today.”

Also in attendance were the judging panel which included representatives from Southern Co-op, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Whole School Meals, Macknade Fine Foods, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Orbit, Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, Licensing Consultancy Services, Brakes, and Kent Catering Service.

Simon Dolby, CEO of the KM Charity Team, which runs the Young Cooks contest, said: “It’s been a really exciting day. Boglar’s been working so hard in the kitchen and it’s a fantastic ‘end of event’ celebration for all the judges and everybody involved in Young Cooks 2018.”

The contest saw 18 finalists from across the south east compete for the title of top Young Cook on November 29, 2018 in the kitchens at East Kent College in Broadstairs.

A £500 prize pot was divided between the primary, secondary, and family category winners and the overall champion, while every finalist received a packed goody bag and framed certificate.

Entry will be open soon for Young Cooks 2019 at www.YoungCooks.org.uk

Businesses interested in supporting this year’s contest should contact event organiser Hannah Hawksworth at hhawksworth@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 0844 264 0291.