West London Synagogue is looking for a talented teenager to cook up a winning recipe for its 175th birthday.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, the UK's oldest Reform synagogue is running a "JewniorChef" competition open to those aged from 12 to 16.

West London president Stephen Moss said "the reason we chose to focus on catering is partly due to the immense popularity of TV programmes such as Masterchef that have captured the public's imagination in recent years across all generations".

Sixteen contestants will be picked to compete in two heats in March at the Jewish Community Secondary School in Barnet, with eight going through to the final at Hospitality House in East Finchley in May.

The winner "will have an amazing opportunity to cook and learn in the kitchen at one of London's top hotels".

The winner will get to cook in a top hotel

Caterer Tony Page and hospitality industry charity Springboard are sponsoring the contest.

Mr Page was "thrilled to be supporting the community in this exciting initiative, which will inspire budding young chefs and give them the opportunity to gain experience, feel what it would be like as a professional career and have some fun along the way".

Mr Moss said the idea was a "response to the growing number of young people interested in catering as a career choice and the fact that, with Tony Page as sponsor, we had support from one of the most respected professionals in the field. There is already a lot of interest among young people in the Jewish community." The deadline for entries is February 8.