A top chef cooked up the trip of a lifetime for a Staffordshire schoolboy when he invited him into his London restaurant – and let him get to work on rustling up tasty treats.

David Chidlow, a 12-year-old member of Wheaton Aston Sea Scouts, got to visit and cook at the restaurant owned by MasterChef presenter and judge John Torode.

An aspiring chef himself, David has always enjoyed working with food, and his friends at Wheaton Aston Sea Scouts say he is always first to cook at their gatherings, either in the kitchen or over open fires.

After the Lapley boy wrote to a string of celebrity chefs to tell them about his passion for cooking, Australian-born John Torode invited the schoolboy to his dining establishment in the capital – Smiths of Smithfield – during the Easter school holidays.

David and his mother Alison, who is an assistant Sea Scout leader at Wheaton Aston, went to London with her son to see David working with John’s top chefs.

At 9am, David was welcomed by John, who introduced the Stafford youngster to his team.

After a few encouraging words from the MasterChef judge, the Brewood Middle School pupil was given the full chef’s garb and was put to work straight away.

David’s first job was to prepare food for lunchtime meals, and he made several salads before his mother was treated to the delights of the Smiths’ menu.

David then made a selection of desserts, before David and Mrs Chidlow were treated to lunch themselves.

John thanked the schoolboy for his efforts and handed him a signed copy of his book, before inviting him back. David said: “This was a fantastic day.”