The two groups came first and third in the Devon Scouts County Cooking Challenge after impressing the judges.

Young chefs from Beer Scouts have been named the best in the South West in the South West Regional Cooking Competition..

Both Beer and Seaton groups qualified for the regional competition to compete against 10 other teams from Southampton, Devon, Gloucestershire and Dorset.

The Beer team of Kendle Westlake 13, Isla Fisher 11, Dylan Arnold, 11, and Adam Clinch, 10, had two hours to cook up a three-course meal.

The youngsters impressed judges in Shurdington, Gloucestershire, with their seafood based courses to secure first place.

They recreated their dishes from the county heat, starting with crab and prawn topped with creme fresh, a homemade fish finger sandwich for main and ‘fish’ pancakes for dessert by making American pancake and serving with nectarine scales.

Seaton Scouts were awarded third place and 1st Deer Park, Kemble, came second.

Scout leader Fiona Gage said tension ‘was visible’ waiting for the results to be announced.

She added: “The dedication these four young people have shown over the last six weeks of training has been admirable.

“They have listened to the advise they were given and put it into practice. It’s been great to see the friendly rivalry between the Devon groups and this has pushed all the youngsters on to do better. People should not underestimate what young people can do in the kitchen.”

Nigel Groves scout leader for Beer Scouts said: “At this point at I looked at the group it was amazing to see the anticipation on their faces change to absolute delight when their name was read out as coming first, they just could not believe it.

“They just jumped up and down in the group hugging each other. I am just so proud of them and the dedication and hard work they have shown.”