A QUALITY cook from a Greenock school has rustled up a place in the final of a national competition.

Teenage chef Casey Mulholland turned up the heat on her rivals to serve up a winning three-course meal.

The 16-year-old wowed judges to finish first in the West of Scotland round of Rotary International’s Young Chef contest in East Kilbride last month.

She was up against the clock but had the right recipe for success.

Casey said: “I was surprised to win.

“I had to make a starter, main and dessert within two hours and serve it up to the judges.

“I was a wee bit nervous, some of the contestants were from private schools and one was from catering college.

“They were making all this fancy food dishes but mine was quite simple.”

But modest Casey’s barbecue ribs starter, loin of cod with parma ham and to-die-for chocolate and hazelnut steamed pudding tickled the tastebuds of experts.

The Notre Dame pupil said: “I could see them nodding their heads when they were eating it.”

Casey lives in the Barrs Cottage area of Greenock with her parents Paul Mulholland and Louise Couper and younger sister Emily, who were all there to cheer her on.

The youngster had to cost and list all the ingredients and the meal had to be prepared for no more than £15.

She also had to produce the menu and table decorations.

After overcoming tough competition from talented teenagers from as far afield as Fort William to Stranraer she will now represent Inverclyde in the Scottish finals in Livingston on March 5.

Yet Casey, who is a fan of celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, isn’t planning on a career in the kitchen — and wants to be a youth worker instead.

Gail Spence, principal teacher of hospitality and food technology at Notre Dame, said: “I am over the moon, I am very pleased for Casey.

“She’s a very well organised pupil and her practical techniques are outstanding.”