CHEFS of the future created their very own culinary delights to spice up the humble pastry.

And Charlotte Holden, a pupil at Walshaw High School, Burnley, tickled the judges tastebuds to win first prize in Holland's Pies' Pastry Challenge with her chilli con carne pasty.

For the challenge, school pupils across the area were asked to create a brand new pastry product and give suggestions for a marketing strategy and packaging.

The project was designed to fit into the GCSE food technology curriculum and Charlotte managed to win £100 in vouchers for herself and £750 for her school by cooking up the top pastry.

And Charlotte, from Burnley, also got the chance to spend a day at Holland's Baxenden factory to see her pie being made.

Joan Henaghan, Walshaw High School's food technology teacher, said: "The class enjoyed creating their pies and pasties, having commercial considerations to think about was a particular challenge.

"Seeing the process of making a pie from start to finish at the Holland's factory was a valuable experience for Charlotte and will certainly help to develop her understanding of food technology in the future."

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