PUPILS polished their culinary skills with expert tips from one of the world's top chefs.

Children from Chalgrove Primary School helped to prepare and serve canapés at an event at Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons - with guidance from chef patron Raymond Blanc.

The Great Milton restaurant, which boasts two Michelin stars, welcomed pupils on Wednesday to help out at a fundraising dinner.

Oxford Mail:

It was in aid of a Royal Academy of Culinary Art programme called Adopt a School, which sees professional chefs volunteer to teach schoolchildren about food and healthy eating.

Guests enjoyed a five-course menu designed and prepared by chefs Gary Jones and Benoit Blin - respectively the sous chef and chef patissier at Le Manoir.

Mr Jones, who is from Chalgrove, is a supporter of Adopt a School and chose his village's school to benefit from the scheme.

Former Chalgrove pupil Tom Marriage, who received sessions from Mr Jones as part of the partnership, was so inspired that he trained to become a chef and is now an apprentice chef at Le Manoir.

He said: "If it wasn’t for Adopt a School, I wouldn’t be here.

"I thank the programme for where I am now."

Diners enjoyed a feast including beetroot terrine with horseradish sorbet, Cornish crab with lime and coconut, fillet of beef and a bitter chocolate marquise with caramel.

Tweeting images from the evening, Mr Blanc said: "A great local story - I always complain that there is not enough local boys/girls at Le Manoir.

"The children from Chalgrove served the gateaux aperitif elegantly."

Sara Jayne Stanes, chief executive of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and Adopt a School, said: "Food education is key to giving young people the knowledge, practical skills and ability to be responsible for their wellbeing and to adopt a healthier lifestyle through informed choice.

"This is why programmes like Adopt a School are so important."