The talented trio won the exclusive prize after being crowned winners of the UK-wide competition run by leading foodservice supplier Brakes.

From July 22-26, they had the opportunity to gain work experience in the kitchens of Harrods, The Dorchester Hotel and Café Spice Namasté working under the tutelage of chefs Allister Bishop, Henry Brosi, Cyrus Todiwala and their teams.

Neil Rowan said: “The placement week has provided invaluable new experiences and will stay with me for the rest of my professional career. Being given the opportunity to work alongside such talented chefs in their professional kitchens has given me the motivation to follow my passion for cooking.”

In addition to working at these top restaurants, the students were also able to learn more about the finest fresh produce from visiting London markets including a ‘behind the scenes’ look at Billingsgate Fish Market.

Competition judge and chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Christopher Basten, who organised the week, commented: “The Brakes Student Chef Team Challenge is a fantastic way for young talent to demonstrate first hand their skills working in a time-pressured professional kitchen.”

Mark Irish, head of development chefs at Brakes, added: “Brakes is passionate about nurturing young talent within the foodservice industry through the Student Chef Team Challenge. It is always a popular competition with a high calibre of entrants and we hope to see the winners go on to enjoy glittering careers in the industry.”

Details of the 2013/14 Brakes Student Chef Team Challenge will be launched later this year.