A YOUNG autistic chef has won a week in the kitchen with Raymond Blanc after claiming the gold medal in a cooking contest.

Cooking maestro Liam Pope scooped the Young Chef of the Year award at the Sodexo Salon Culinaire contest at Ascot Racecourse.

The 19-year-old, who has a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, developed his love of cooking and first qualifications whilst at LVS Hassocks - a specialist day and residential school for youngsters with learning difficulties.

For claiming the top spot in the competition he will spend a week with the celebrity French chef at his Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons restaurant and hotel in Oxfordshire.

He also gets a week of training at Le Norte academy in Paris and cooking in the Chelsea Flower Shower hospitality area with Raymond Blanc.

The cooking challenge was held in front of a live audience and was against the clock.

Mr Pope had just one hour to cook a two course meal of pan fried Dover Sole followed by a chocolate fondant dessert.

The young chef said: "I was really nervous for the first 15 minutes but then I enjoyed it – it was a great experience. I want to thank everyone at LVS Hassocks for setting me on this career path – it taught me so much and meant when I went into a big work kitchen I wasn’t daunted as I already had good knowledge. That helped me keep calm."

His friends from LVS Hassocks were in the crowd to support him when he won.

Liam said when he arrived at the school, aged 14, he was only able to cook a pot noodle.

With just 15% of adults with autism in full-time employment, Liam’s success highlights what autistic learners can achieve with the right support and development.

Kira Brabenec, head of centre at the school, said: “We are delighted for Liam. Importantly his progression will inspire current learners at the school, and reinforces that LVS Hassocks helps learners develop career paths and prepare for independent lives”.