A YOUNG chef who discovered his love for cooking on a work placement from school has urged employers to consider taking on school leavers.

Scott Purchase, 18, began spending one day a week in the Chez Jules kitchens when he was a 15-year-old Blacon High pupil.

Youth training organisation Connexions organised the placement for him.

Scott said: 'I didn't get on at school - I liked subjects like art and cooking but I couldn't do things like maths and science, so I got bored and messed around.

'I really enjoyed it straightaway and started working two days a week. Then because I liked working here so much, I got even more bored in school and ended up being excluded. But I still carried on with the placement and then when I was 16 I got a job here.'

Junior chef de partie Scott won the Young Chef of the Year competition at this year's Chester Food and Drink Festival.