Florence Middleton, a 14-year-old budding Rick Stein from Falmouth School, swept the board last Saturday to win the regional round of the national Young Chef Competition, organised by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.

Flo created an exceptional vegetarian offering and beat off competition from as far afield as Guernsey and Hampshire to reach the finals, which will be held on May 5 at Lutterworth Grammar school, Leicestershire. Second place in the competition, held at Cornwall College, St Austell, went to Jessica Holloway from St Thomas Hardy School, Dorchester. She will join Flo at the finals along with other young chefs from England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Flo developed her menu with the help of chef Artie Williams and his team at Falmouth's Maenporth Cove restaurant. Her winning collation was a vegetarian feast starting with sweet corn cakes under avocado salsa followed by spinach and ricotta parcels on a bed of sautéed vegetables. Chocolate fondant with clotted cream and strawberries formed the sweet.

Flo's dessert was highly praised by the judges, from Cornwall College and The Carlyon Bay Hotel, who said they considered it would not be out of place on a menu in any of the best restaurants worldwide.

After her victory, a surprised Flo said: "I couldn't believe I had won. I hope to embrace catering as a career and I'm excited to be competing against the best in the British Isles in the finals."

Lisa Mansell, a teacher from Falmouth School, said: "I am very proud of Flo and her achievements. She has shown exceptional skill and talent and is a real credit to the school. Thanks must go to Artie at The Cove who has supported and advised Flo since the first round of the competition in November."

Falmouth Rotary Club, whose members sponsored Flo, expressed thanks not only to the Cove but also to Amanda Barlow, director of the Budock Vean Hotel, who advised on table dressing.