CATERING students were given an exclusive invitation to join top television chefs at one of the biggest farmers' markets in the country.

Pupils from West Cheshire College were the only young apprentices to cook up a storm at the Real Food Festival at Earls Court in London.

They joined celebrity chef Raymond Blanc for a cookery demonstration in the Chef Theatre and impressed him so much that he invited them to join him at his restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons for a masterclass.

Event director Philip Lowery said: "These young apprentices from West Cheshire College were already having a fantastic experience at the first Real Food Festival, but this invitation from Raymond Blanc has really blown them away.

"I think he is really inspirational for these young chefs."

The Real Food Festival included a line-up of more than 400 of the best British and international small food producers, with cookery workshops and sample dishes.