Five talented contenders donned their whites for a nail-biting MasterChef-style 'cook off' to decide who would be crowned Young Chef of the Year in a prestigious tourism awards scheme.

Independent judges assessed their culinary skills to shortlist three worthy candidates for the sought-after title - one of nine fiercely-fought categories in Visit Peak District & Derbyshire's forthcoming Excel Tourism Awards.

All five took up the gourmet gauntlet at the University of Derby Buxton in the 'pressure cooker' environment of a working kitchen to create a mouthwatering selection of starters and main courses in two hours flat.

Judges - University of Derby chef lecturers Sarah Stewart and Robert Stordy, plus Philip Guest of Northern Foods - described the competition as 'very close' before selecting Scott Matkin, Pierce O'Connor and Savvas Savva for their shortlist. 

The winner of the title - plus the winners in the remaining eight categories - will be announced at the official tourist board's Excel Tourism Awards presentation evening at Chatsworth on Thursday March 10.

Scott (23), of Chaddesden, Derby, who works at Marriott Breadsall Priory, prepared seared scallops followed by pan-seared loin of venison, while Pierce O'Connor (19), of Wirksworth, who works at Le Mistral in Wirksworth, cooked roasted Serrano mozzarella and seared venison with winter vegetables.

Savvas Savva (24), of Cyprus and currently studying at the University of Derby Buxton, opted for a seafood starter followed by a chicken fillet main course.

Other shortlisted nominees for the Excel Tourism Awards - which aim to recognise and reward outstanding people working in the local tourism industry - are:

• Best Volunteer: Alan Gifford, Heage Windmill Society; Ray Marjoram, Belper North Mill Trust; Sarah Rolland, Buxton Opera House

• Event Planner of the Year: Christine Paulson, English Heritage; Kay Rotchford, Chatsworth Settlement Trustees; Tracey Reader, Crich Tramway Village

• Outstanding Customer Care:  Helen Peden, Roundhouse Events, Derby; Charlotte Hitchcock, Jurys Inn, Derby, Steve Ogan, Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages, Winster

• Most Promising Student or Trainee: Fay Fallows, University of Derby; Christine Edwards, University of Derby; Natalie Hilton, Derby College

• Unsung Hero: Toni Riley, The Old Hall Hotel, Buxton; David Brown, Hoe Grange Holidays; Doreen Motley, Chatsworth

• Manager of the Year: Andre Birkett, Chatsworth Settlement Trustees; Becky Sayles, Marriott Breadsall Priory; Paul Kaye, Gulliver's Kingdom, Matlock Bath

• Outstanding Contribution to Tourism: David Brown, Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington; Steve Perez, CASA, Chesterfield; Vic Hallam, Dam and Dambusters Museum, Derwent Reservoir

• Team of the Year: The Animal Team, Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, North Anston; The Old Hall Team, Old Hall Hotel, Buxton; QUAD Staff Team, Quad Ltd, Derby; Team Heage, Heage Windmill Society; The Operational Team, Gulliver's Kingdom; The Heights of Abraham Engineering Team, Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath; The Peacock Staff Team, The Peacock at Rowsley

"Once again, the standard of entries has been extremely high, and our independent judges faced some tough decisions in selecting shortlisted entries," said David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

"The Young Chef of the Year category proved particularly exciting during a tense, competitive 'cook off' in an authentic working environment - and judges debated long and hard before making their final choice.

"Now I and the rest of our team look forward to welcoming all short-listed nominees and congratulating the worthy winners of all nine categories on what promises to be a superb Awards evening at Chatsworth, attended by the Duke of Devonshire."

Added the Duke of Devonshire: "All the team here are thrilled that Chatsworth will be hosting the Excel Tourism Awards for a second year, and look forward to welcoming colleagues from Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, sponsors and guests to what is fast becoming a key event in the county's calendar. We believe the Awards are an opportunity to reward people who often work tirelessly behind the scenes to give visitors the best possible experience."

Sponsors of the Excel Tourism Awards 2011 are the Derbyshire Economic Partnership, East Midlands Development Agency (emda), Chatsworth, Derbyshire Times Group of Newspapers, Derby College, C W Sellors, The Peacock at Rowsley, Sounds Commercial, The University of Derby, Robert Young Florists Ltd of Bakewell and the Clear Black Wine Company.