by Hayley Robinson

A talented youngster is hoping to defend her title in a cooking competition.

Eden Allsworth, 15, has once again been selected as one of six finalists for the National Juniorchef contest.

Since lifting the trophy last year, the Highsted Grammar School student has gone on to win Kent Young Chef of the Year 2012 and compete in the final of FutureChef 2013, after winning her local and regional heats.

This year she is the only girl chosen to compete.

The event takes place at the East Kent College in Broadstairs on Friday, May 17 in front of a panel of judges.

They include two Michelin-starred TV chef and former East Kent College student, Nathan Outlaw who is head judge; Neil Wiggins, head chef at the award-winning Manor Restaurant at Eastwell Manor Hotel, near Ashford, and Len Unwin, catering lecturer at Sheffield City College.

The competition, which has been running for a decade, is open to budding chefs from across the UK in school years seven to 11.

They have to cook their own two-course menu in just three hours.

The winner takes home the trophy, plus £250 for themselves, and £250 for their school.

The other finalists, who all attend either secondary school or further education colleges, are Curtis Blackmore, from The Waterside Centre in Accrington, Lancashire; Elliot Long, from the Richard Challoner School in New Maldon, Surrey; Matt England and Jack Button, both from Wadebridge School in Cornwall and Daniel Arscott, who studies at Hampton Academy in Middlesex.

The day before the competition, all six of them will travel to Calais with P&O ferries, where they will enjoy dinner on board and a tour of the ship.