MIDDLE school teacher Alan Dodson first became interested in cooking when he was a teenager. His parents suggested that, as he was the first person to get back home each week day, he could get some food on the table ready for them when they arrived home from work.

He took on the challenge and his interest in food and cookery started to develop into a real passion. He enjoyed cooking for his friends when he was studying at college and now, as well as doing most of the cooking at home, does cookery sessions with some of his work colleagues at St Nicholas C of E Middle School in Pinvin, near Pershore.

The 51-year-old IT and maths teacher is a firm believer in using local seasonal produce – no Peruvian asparagus for him when the finest spears are growing 10 miles up the road. He also feels strongly about reducing food waste and when he spotted a cookery competition on the NEFF (German kitchen appliance maker) Facebook page he decided it was an opportunity to demonstrate his culinary creativity.

He submitted a recipe with his own personal twist, has reached the semi-final stages and is in with a chance of being crowned NEFF’S Cookaholic 2017.

He said: “My interest in cooking probably started when I was in my late teens. When I was at school, I was the first person back home every day and my parents said ‘Let’s have some food on the table when we get back’.

“My wife can cook but I do most of the cooking at home. I follow NEFF on Facebook and when I saw the competition I decided to enter.

“I had to submit a recipe and there had to be something about it that makes it unique. I also had to submit a photo to prove I cooked it. The dish had to have something personal – a unique twist.

“My thing is local seasonal ingredients and I used local wild garlic and left over mashed potato to make a wild garlic soufflé.”

Alan, whose passion for food has spilled over at work where he does ‘Cooking With Alan’ sessions to share techniques and recipe ideas with his work colleagues, was shortlisted by the competition judges and is now in the semi-finals.

Two finalists will be announced next week and they will be invited to take part in a head to head cook off at Big Feastival, Kingham, Chipping Norton, on Saturday August to decide the winner.

“My main passion is local food. I try to buy everything from farm shops. I won’t buy broccoli from Kenya if it is growing down the road – even if it is cheaper. I think we ought to support the local businesses and local farmers.”

Alan admitted he didn’t really expect to get this far but he is pleased he entered the competition. “I entered because I like cooking and with this recipes and techniques are shared.”

Anyone who would like Alan’s recipe can visit http://www.nextcookaholic.co.uk/gallery/2017/wild-garlic-and-potato-souffl%C3%A9/?page=4

The NEFF Cookaholic 2017 will win kitchen full of NEFF appliances and will become the face of the next NEFF Cookaholic campaign.