Gourock schoolgirl in Rotary Young Chef Scottish final

Darsi McIntyre, 15, has made it through to the Scottish final of the Rotary Young Chef competition. 

The talented teen, who is a pupil at St Columba's High School in Gourock, saw off rivals from schools across the south of Scotland to reach the showdown. 

Darsi is one of only three pupils from a total of nine who will go through to the next stage of the competition at Forth Valley College on March 23. 

The enthusiastic young chef is already getting prepared for the challenge. 

Darsi added: "I'm nervous but very excited about it. 

"I really enjoy following a recipe and creating something. 

"The rounds so far have been really fun and it's been great to see what everyone else has come up with."

In the south Scotland final, Darsi prepared tagliatelle with basil pesto, chilli king prawns and parmesan crisp with soda bread for her main course.

She made spiced poached pear with a brandy snap tuille filled with white chocolate cream and raspberry coulis for her delicious dessert. 

Her prize for making it through the first round of the competition was a family meal at Scotts in Greenock, where her own menu was offered as the 'specials' for the night. 

If Darsi was go on and win the UK final and whole competition, she'll be off to a cook school in Tuscany for a week. 

She is busy perfecting her two-course menu to make it perfect for the judges later this month. 

She added: "Pasta is one of my favourite things to eat, so it was nice to make it as part of the competition. 

"I like food and I love making it. 

"It's been a really fun experience so far."

St Columba's home economics teacher Adrianna Todd says the whole school is 'extremely proud' of Darsi.

She added: "Darsi works really hard and is very dedicated. 

"She's been in practising on in-service days and does a lot at home. 

"She's done so well and we wish her lots of luck for the final."