The four finalists were given three hours to prepare, cook and plate a three-course dinner for four people using a minimum of eight Welsh products of geographical importance. Gabi Wilson won a silver medal while Kate Duffy and Sonny Page received bronze medals.

Caitlin cooked a starter of Dyfi prawn stuffed cappelletti with dill, ricotta and laverbread served with prawn head jus, spring onion oil, roasted shallot puree and crispy Carmarthen ham.

Her main course was fillet of pan fried GI Welsh beef, confit leek and parsnip puree, roasted green beans with Welsh heather honey, potato dauphinois with Caerphilly cheese, beef kidney and braised button onions. Dessert was sticky toffee bara brith with caramelised apple ice cream, salty hazelnut tuile and white chocolate whipped ganache.

Caitlin said: “It was very unexpected because there were some very good contenders against me and I thought I had no chance. Thanks go to my college tutors and my colleagues at Ynyshir who have worked so hard with me.

“I’m in my final year at college, following which I will be working full time a Ynyshir which will be amazing. It’s hard work and long hours but very enjoyable and interesting because I am learning new skills and being introduced to new food all the time.

“Being named the best young chef in Wales is particularly cool and a confidence boost. In the future I would like to become a private chef and travel the world.”

For winning the final, organised by the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) alongside the Castell Howell Trade Food Service Show, Caitlin is given automatic seeding into the semi-final of the UK Craft Guild of Chefs Young National Chef of the Year competition.

She also receives a fully funded delegate package for the Young Chefs Programme at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo to be held at ICC Wales in May, £150 worth of products from DPS Tableware and a set of engraved cook’s knives from Friedr Dick.

Today (Wednesday), the National Chef of Wales final is being held at the same venue with eight finalist divided into two heats.