YOUNGSTERS aged from seven to 16 showed off their culinary talents by creating Fairtrade dishes fit for the town mayor.

The seven young chefs, chosen for their recipe ideas using Fairtrade ingredients, were invited to create their winning dishes at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel on Monday, under the guidance of executive chef there Matt Budden.

The children and young people from schools across Bournemouth then helped serve their gourmet delights, including chicken and green bean spring rolls, scrumptious strawberry surprise and beautiful brownies, to guests from Bournemouth businesses and community groups, as well as the town mayor Chris Mayne.

Representing their schools, The Elm Academy, Talbot Heath School and Bournemouth School for Girls, the winning youngsters were selected from among 30 entrants to the competition organised by the Fairtrade Bournemouth Steering Group.

Bournemouth is officially a Fairtrade town and will reapply for that status in January.

Roxanne Humphries, a member of the Fairtrade Steering Group, said: “They all did brilliantly and were so happy to collect their awards.

“They really understood what Fairtrade was and understood the reasons behind it, and the schools really embraced it too.

“It gives me real confidence that we will keep our Fairtrade status next year.”

The children’s cooking event was put on for free by the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, which is the town’s Fairtrade Flagship Employer.