A CHEF who caters for elderly people in a nursing home has won through to a national final for his creative cooking.

Mark Wilkinson, head chef at Northwood Nursing and Residential Care, Preston New Road, Blackburn, is in the final of the Care Catering Cook of the Year competition after winning the regional award for the North West.

The Northern Care Cook of the Year was hosted by Harrogate College and participants from Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Durham, Harrogate competed against the Blackburn chef.

Mark won over judges with his menu of grilled trout fillet, wilted leeks and spinach, mashed potatoes, sauce vierge followed by summer pudding with Cornish clotted cream. The Mayor of Harrogate made the presentation. The national final will be held in London next week.