Budding chefs from an East Ham primary school showcased their talents by winning a live cook-off competition at Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food Stratford last Saturday.

Pupils from Hartley School, Hartley Avenue, bagged themselves an exclusive back-stage tour of one of Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurants, plus a guided tour around West Ham’s Upton Park ground.

The final, filmed for Al Jazeera TV, saw Hartley School narrowly edge out Vicarage Lane’s Chick Pea Nuggets with their own Chicory Pasta.

All the competitors, taken from five local schools, received a hands-on workshop from Jamie’s Ministry of Food in preparation for the challenge.

Pupils were than asked to create and submit a recipe to serve four people costing less than £5, with the emphasis being on low sugar and salt content.

Class teacher Charlotte Bradfied was delighted to see her year five pupils take home the top prize.

“It’s always good to see children being independent in the kitchen, and know how to budget and eat healthily,” she said.

Carlos Montes, director of Leaside Food, who ran the event said: “We have been inspired by how these small children were to cook and try new ingredients and recipes.”