AN 11-YEAR-OLD pupil at Hexham Middle School has been selected to represent the North-East in a national cooking competition.

Daniel Guiliani, who is in Year 7, is one of just five finalists in his category who are in with a chance of being crowned the UK’s Young Pea Chef of the Year competition.

The national recipe competition, which challenged children in Year 7 and 8 to develop creative recipes using peas, attracted hundreds of entries from budding young chefs.

But Daniel’s pea, parsley and parmesan risotto beat off stiff competition to be selected by a panel of judges, which included TV chef Rachel Green, Waitrose frozen food buying manager Michael Simpson-Jones and brand manager at Pro Cook, Sarah Savery-Smith.

Daniel selected the recipe after it had been tried and tested at home with his mum Liz. And knew he was on to a winner when it won the approval of his Italian-born grandfather Mario.

“I really enjoy cooking at home as much as possible,” said Daniel, from Haydon Bridge.

“Risotto is my favourite thing to make so it’s great to get this far in the competition.”

Daniel, along with 10-year-old sister Lois, were among 15 entries submitted by Hexham Middle School students which impressed food technology teacher Jennifer Kwella.

“We had such a high standard of entries, which included frittata, omlette, pasta and even cake recipes inspired by peas,” she explained.

“For Daniel to be the only finalist selected from the North-East is amazing.”

Votes for the next stage of the contest can be cast online until June 23 at www.youngpeachef.co.uk