A school chef has narrowly missed out on taking the regional crown after serving up a Chinese treat for judges.

ISS Education cook Cheryl Humphries was handed an award for her second place finish at the South East of England Final of the School Chef of the Year competition which took place in St Albans on Wednesday.

The Cranbrook-based chef served up a steamed pork bun, sesame noodles and sweet and sour cucumber as well as a cucumber salad.

Judges of the heat also loved her jelly and coconut ice cream dessert with assorted meringues.

Cheryl missed out on making the final by just one point but there is a chance of success if she is selected as a wild card later on in the competition.

She said: "It was very close. The judges don't usually reward second place but they were so divided.

"I cook a lot of street foods to keep up with the trends and incorporating all the products and ingredients into our menus.

"Our school is quite a small one and the kids love the grab and go stuff where they can walk off with the food."

Cheryl admitted children are keen to try new flavours and foods thanks to the introduction of Nandos and Wagamama on the high street, making her job even more exciting.

She said: "Having healthier food has given us a chance to showcase different types of food from different walks of life.

"Children are more interested in trying different foods now."

Wednesday's regional final saw a host of chefs go head-to-head in a race against the clock.

They had 90 minutes to prepare the four portions of a main course and a dessert suitable for serving to 11-year-olds at their schools.

Although Cheryl missed out on the next round of the competition she may still be in with a shot of the title if she returns as a wild card.

Her round this week was won by Surrey chef Josefine Austin whose Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes blew the judges away.

Her dessert that sealed the deal was a pineapple tart with vanilla creme.

The National Final is to be held on March 7, 2019, in Stratford Upon Avon.