A local family were lucky enough to win a private cookery masterclass with former Masterchef 2011 winner Tim Anderson.

Jeremy and Fiona Birch, from Ross, entered the competition organised by naturally brewed soy sauce Kikkoman which appeared in Sainsbury's Magazine earlier in the year. The couple were picked from thousands that applied for the chance to experience hands-on tuition and lunch with freelance chef Tim, who is hoping to open his own restaurant in the near future.

Accompanied by ten year old son Blake and his best pal Rohi, they visited the Underground Cookery School in London and learnt how to make Tim's own recipes - Creamy Polenta with Prawns – known as 'shrimp and grits' from Tim's native USA; followed by Tempura-style fish and chips with soy dip; and a decadent warm Chocolate Brownie with Soy Caramel Sauce. The boys also made their own mini pizzas for lunch.

Fiona said: "We were so thrilled to win the competition with Tim as Blake loves experimenting in the kitchen and goes to after school cookery club. It was great fun and we picked up so many tips - I had no idea that Kikkoman Soy Sauce could be used in so many different ways. The polenta was delicious and who'd have thought it would give a nice salty note to the sweet caramel sauce? Tim is very inventive."Tim added: "It was a pleasure showing the Birch's some of my favourite food."

The Birch family try to enter as many competitions as possible as they want to win a holiday. They said this prize was great as it is something they would never buy. Jeremy and Fiona both enjoy cooking and said they were well looked after. This has spurred them on to enter even more competitions.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.