YORK College apprentice Wojciech Sukiennik has won the Young Chef competition at the York Food Festival this year.

Wojciech, 20, is an apprentice chef at the Star Inn the City in Museum Street who came to the UK just two years ago.

After an initial job at Pizza Hut, Wojciech started working at Star Inn the City as a kitchen assistant, progressing to commis chef and now chef de partie.

During this time he completed his Level 2 Professional Cookery Apprenticeship and he is now studying for his level 3.

Matthew Hunter, director of operations at Star Inn the City said: “Due to his hardworking nature and tenacity - and of course his new found love of teaching himself Yorkshire dialect, we are incredibly proud of Woj for being announced the winner of York’s Young Chef competition.

"He worked very hard practicing his dishes. Those he prepared, not only represented our style, using local ingredients, but also showed off his skills and his own interpretation of the brief.”

York College tutor Suzanne Barwick added: “He is such a great student, always so enthusiastic and motivated to learn. He’s like a sponge, soaking up information and using his creative flair to produce really lovely cooking.

"I am so pleased he’s had a platform to show off his skills and gain recognition for his hard work.”