NORTHCOTE Manor head chef Warwick Dodds is on his way to completing a culinary double.

Local lad Warwick, 25, who has worked at Northcote Manor for four years and as head chef for two, has won a place in the regional finals of the famous Roux Scholarship.

His recipe for poached loin of pork has earned him the unique opportunity to prepare and present it under the watchful eyes of a renowned panel of judges next month at Birmingham College of Food.

And it could mean a second major success for Warwick, who has been a nationalist finalist in the competition before, after being named Young Chef of the Year for 1999.

And his success is not the first for Northcote Manor, at Northcote Lane, Langho, and executive chef Nigel Haworth. Warwick's protege Jason Birbeck was also named Young Chef of the Year for 2001.

And he hopes that 2002 and will be his year to become one of the celebrated 'Roux Scholars.'

If he wins he will be the lucky recipient of £2,500 cash, trips to the Caribbean, France and Italy, plus a wealth of other prizes for him and his employer.

The Roux Scholarship is recognised as the most prestigious competition in the UK for young chefs.