Michel Roux Jnr and Brian Turner judge dishes by former Stamford College student in young chef final

Talented young chef Jack Cannell came face to face with his kitchen idols at the regional final of the Roux Scholarship on Thursday.

Having reached the last 18 of the coveted competition, Jack went to London to cook for famous chefs including Michel Roux Jnr and TV regular Brian Turner.

Finalists had two-and-a-half hours hours to cook their own beef dish recipe, and then come up with a dessert on the spot from a box of mystery ingredients.

Jack did not make it through to the national final, but is keen to build on his memorable experience.

"It was definitely worth it - it's good to push yourself out of your comfort zone," he said.

"All the chefs walked around watching you and asking questions which was quite daunting."

Jack, who studied at Stamford College, was left frustrated with his dessert and is keen to enter again to show what he can really do.

"We had to make choux buns, and I don't know whether it was nerves, but I misread the brief," he explained.

"I didn't realise until the last minute and then had to make them on the spot.

"It just wasn't my day, but it was a great experience and some great chefs went through.

"It was all a good learning curve. Hopefully I can enter again next year and give it my best shot."

Now head chef at a restaurant in Devon, Jack has worked under Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines.

After his first taste of competition, and now with unfinished business, he would like to have a shot at BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals.