IT WAS puree excitement as a chef at an Ascot care home reached the semi-finals of a national cookery competition.

Emilio Pascucci, the chef at Larkland House on London Road, reached the semi-finals of the Care Uk’s Chef of the Year competition.

In round one of the competition the talented chef was tasked with whipping up a two course meal in just 90 minutes.

For the main course Mr Pascucci served a pork, sage and apple roundel with root vegetable puree and finely sliced parsnips and carrots. Then a small victoria sponge with a chocolate quenelle mousse and a coconut and vanilla cream.

He said: “I’m thrilled to have made it to the semi-finals. The level of skill and creativity from the other chefs was really high, but I was confident that the dishes I cooked would be received well by the judges because they are always enjoyed by the residents of Larkland House.”

The four judges marked the dishes based on originality, presentation, taste, nutrition and menu design.

Danielle Plant, customer relations manager at Larkland House, said: “The Chef of the Year competition is a brilliant opportunity for the chefs at Care UK to show their talent and expertise. It’s great that Emilio’s cookery skills have been recognised and we are all eagerly awaiting the semi-finals where I’m sure he will see further success.”