THEY say too many cooks spoil the broth - but that is certainly not the case at Eastleigh College.

First year catering students Donna Jordan, Mary Ann Wellstood and Tom Taylor combined their culinary skills to represent the college in the southern regional final of the Brakes Student Team Chef Challenge.

They had just one hour and 45 minutes to plan, prepare, cook and present a top quality three-course meal for four.

The winning recipe, right, put the Eastleigh trio through to the London finals at Kingsway College, Westminster.

Although they didn't win on the day they did extremely well and were up against some big catering colleges.

Eastleigh College chef lecturer Rob Strachan said: "I am really proud of them having reached the finals. Competitions like this are a great experience for students as they have to cope with the challenge of a strange kitchen and with nerves on the day.

"The team did a great deal of preparation for the final in their own time which says a lot about their characters."

Shown above, from left, are Donna, Tom and Mary.