A trio of aspiring chefs have been handpicked to help out with a national catering competition.

Students George Fodor, 16, Lucy King, 17, and Gemma Naidoo, 16, all from Barking and Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy, will assist competitors in the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Cook of the Year final.

The group were chosen by professional chef and lecturer Lynden Davies, who will also be one of the judges of the June 8 contest, which will be held at the academy.

“These are the three best students in my class and I will be training them to fulfil the role of commis chef for a day,” she said.

“A commis chef is the first step on the journey to becoming a chef, and this is a great opportunity to see professional chefs in action.

“I hope it will encourage them to think about careers in the care sector.”