A YOUNG chef has been highly commended for her work.

Isabella Raccagna, 22, is the chef de partie at Farmer Butcher Chef, Goodwood.

She is the first female chef to be crowned Sussex Young Chef of the Year at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards.

Isabella is considered a “rising star” from the Goodwood Estate and fought off competition from young chefs across the county to claim the accolade.

Receiving her award Isabella said: “I am completely speechless, and that is surprising for me.

“I just want to keep doing what I’m doing and get better at producing tasty food and making it look great.”

Goodwood’s executive chef Darron Bunn added that he is proud of Isabella’s achievement.

He said: “This is an incredible achievement for Isabella to win such a highly regarded and distinguished award.

“All the judges, including Michelin starred chefs, praised Isabella for her outstanding cooking and innovative menu.”

The young chefs were asked to create a special spring menu to mark the change of the seasons.

The three-course dinner or lunch had to showcase ingredients from Sussex producers, farmers and growers with a budget of £15 per person and only 90 minutes to produce two plates of each course. Farmer Butcher Chef was a runner-up in the Sussex Eating Experience of the Year category and Goodwood’s Home Farm was a finalist in the Sussex Food Producer of the Year.