Move over Jamie Oliver — there’s a new boy in the kitchen. He’s the trainee chef from Clitheroe whose classic culinary creations have won the hearts of Lancashire fine diners and the minds of Michelin star judges. Luke Pilkington has proved he can stand the heat and now he is working for one of country’s best chefs in some of the area’s best eateries — and he’s only 17.

TEENAGERS are renowned for their love of fast food.

But 17-year-old Luke Pilkington probably wouldn’t eat a McDonald's if you paid him.

That comes as no surprise after a year under the guidance of top chef Nigel Haworth, with a prestigious Northcote apprenticeship, enjoyed by only a handful of talented youngsters each year.

In the early stages of his career Luke has already started to get a name for himself on the local foodie scene. He beat off 3,000 others to become a finalist in the Lancashire Young Chef competition, has cooked alongside celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo of Masterchef fame, and under his apprenticeship he has worked in the kitchens of some of Lancashire’s most renowned restaurants in the Northcote group.

This weekend he has been chosen to do a demonstration at Longridge and District Food and Drink Festival — a role often taken on by the experts — and this time he’s flying solo. Luke said he felt honoured —and a little nervous too.

“I’m going to do a demonstration of Eton Mess, a new recipe I have perfected. It’s a meringue inspired by the strawberry-and-cream dessert traditionally served at Eton College.”

The event is being hosted at The Corporation Arms, Longridge, with 50 local food and drink producers exhibiting their excellent produce in the Food Marquee. There will also be a drinks marquee, where 40 real ales will be available, as well as ciders and lagers.

“There will be other chefs doing presentations but I’m definitely the youngest,” he added.

Having Nigel Haworth, or "chef" as he refers to him, as a boss is a privilege, according to Luke. Nigel recently won the coveted main course place with his stupendous Lancashire Hotpot on TV’s The Great British Menu and Luke says he dreams of that level of success.

“I would love to achieve what Nigel has,” says Luke, blushing modestly at such a suggestion, “But he has done so much it’s hard to repeat. One day I hope to get to somewhere close to where he has.”

During his school days at St Wilfrid's School, Blackburn, being so successful in a career before he turned 18 might have seemed unlikely to Luke, who was not as academic as some of his peers.

The teenager, from York Street, Clitheroe, said: "I'm more of a practical person so I found some subjects difficult.

"It wasn't until I got into food technology that things changed, and since then cooking's turned my life around.

"I first started when I was about 10, helping in my gran's confectionery shop, but it's over the past couple of years that I started taking it seriously and now my life revolves around cooking.

"I just find it so relaxing, and I love to see what I've achieved at the end.”

Luke’s culinary talents have been applauded by numerous industry experts as the youngster makes steps in his career on a level with chefs twice his age.

He has made friends and business contacts across Lancashire, working in collaboration with the likes of Reedy’s Naturally, Oswaldtwistle, and Chilli Lime Deli, Blackburn, which both specialise in using local produce — something Luke is very passionate about.

“I love all the fantastic home-grown produce that we have in Lancashire. It’s a brilliant place to be a cook and run a restaurant “I’ve got a new passion for pastries. I think you can be more creative with baking. I am really enjoying experimenting with new ingredients. I’m doing some unusually-flavoured chocolates at the moment.”

In true Jamie Oliver style, Luke added: “When I’m at home I will throw in whatever is in the cupboards and taste it to see how it works, tweeking it where I need to.”

His favourite food is a starter of confit of duck, followed by a fillet steak with chunky chips then sticky toffee pudding for dessert. This is a menu he is currently serving at the Three Fishes,at Mitton, the Northcote group eaterie where he is based for the next few weeks as part of his training.

Encountering all this haute cuisine, Luke’s palate has become quite advanced for his age, making him fussy about his food and particular about how it is cooked.

“I can tell when chefs have cut corners,” he says. “And it’s just lazy. I’m a nightmare to eat out with, and I only really go to certain places that I know I like.”

l Tickets for Longridge and District Food and Drink Festival are priced at £5.00 per day, with children aged 12 and under free. Tickets are available from 01772 782 644 / 01772 783 883.