Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver beware, a 15-year-old chef has cooked up a winning recipe to scoop a top cooking award.

Craig Wells, 15, a year 11 pupil from Southlands High School, certainly gave the opposition food for thought when he steamed to success in the South Lancashire heat of Future Chef 2006.

Craig's culinary creations wowed the judges with his moutherwatering dish of wild duck served with haggis and celeriac mash and a dessert of souffle of bread and butter pudding served with highland cream.

The competition, held at Bolton College, gives each cook 90 minutes to produce a two course meal costing no more than £5.

Craig, from Chapel Lane, Coppull, said: "I've been interested in cooking for a few years now and enjoyed the contest, but it was quite pressurised making a dishes in such a short time.

"I have a waiting on job at the Coppull Moor Restaurant and although I don't cook there I try and pick up some pointers.

"I think using local produce is important in cooking and for the main dish

"I wanted to complement the duck by having the more earthy flavours of the root vegetables."

Craig, who passed his food technology a year early with an A grade, now goes on to the regional final for the North West in January.

He will have £7.50 to spend on the two course meal and has been assigned two mentor chefs to help him devise his menu.

When grilled on his new dishes, Craig did not give much away, but let slip that he is hoping to impress the judges by using pastry in his dessert.

Jane Brockholes, head of food and technology at Southlands, said: "Craig really does keep calm under pressure and is very skilled in the kitchen. His preparation skills are excellent. I think I was far more nervous than Craig during the cooking but I knew he had done well when I saw the positive reaction of the judges as they tasted his duck dish." Craig has taken some gentle teasing about his cooking from older brother Lee, 19.

"He has a bit of a go at me but there never seems to be anything left on the plate when he finishes his meal," he said.

The competition is open to all 12-16 year olds in secondary education and is supported by Michelin starred TV chef Brian Turner.