Ameila Vella, Commis Chef at Bents' Fresh Approach Restaurant has been awarded the 2012 Greater Manchester Young Chef of the Year.
21-year-old Ms Vella, who has been a member of the team at Bents Garden & Home for the past two years, bagged the title following a two and a half hour cook off against some of the region's toughest competition.

She was required to design a three-course menu for two people, using seasonal and local produce at a value of no more than £25. Her menu of broad bean and asparagus risotto, trio of lamb and rhubarb and ginger cheesecake was a winning combination and Ms Vella will now go on to compete in the North West Young Chef of the Year final on June 12 in Manchester.

Bents Garden & Home managing director Matthew Bent said: "For someone so young, Amelia has an incredible talent, which we are very lucky to benefit from on a daily basis at The Fresh Approach Restaurant. We are delighted that this talent has been recognised by this award and we know she will do fantastically well in the North West finals."