A SCHOOL girl from Penarth is now working with a television chef after reaching the finals of the Wales Future Chef competition.

Megan Hitchen, 14, finished runner up the all Wales competition having won the south Wales regional finals in January.

She has been working with Tommy Heaney from Great British Menu 2017 who was allocated as her mentor following her win in the South Wales final.

In the regional final in Bridgend, she was given a £7.50 budget to prepare two starters and two mains and after she won the competition she was given Mr Heaney as a mentor.

Then it was on to the Welsh finals in February where the budget increased to £10 for the competition held in Cardiff.

Despite being pipped to the winner’s spot, Meg received high praise from the judges including a chef from the Celtic Manor Hotel in Newport.

Her mum, Alison, said: “It is what she wants to do.

“Tommy could have just said goodbye after the competition but he offered to maintain a weekly mentoring session.”

Megan said: “Being involved in the competition has offered me lots of opportunities.

“I have been cooking for pretty much my whole life. My grandma taught me from a very young age.”

She said her teachers at Stanwell have been very supportive of her and talk to her about it all of the time.

Alison Hitchen said: “We want to thank Tommy for all his support. This is a great opportunity for Megan.”

Mr Heaney has been so impressed with her talent and commitment, he has offered to maintain his status as chef mentor for Meg and she’ll be working with him and his team at his restaurant at The Great House, Laleston on a weekly basis to build on her knowledge and skills.

Meg has also been welcomed into Ashton’s fish market in Cardiff where she has been tutored to professionally fillet fish.

Meg recently showcased one of her dishes in the Chef’s tent at the Barry Island Beats and Treats Festival in 2017.