CHICKEN tagine and giant cous cous is a dish people might expect to find in a Mediterranean bistro.

Surprisingly, it is on the menu for toddlers at Chrysalis Day Nursery on Gadbrook Business Park.

Continental dishes like this have won John Dougan a top place in a nationwide competition to find the best nursery chef in the UK in 2018.

The 31-year-old from Northwich was in a cook off with the five finalists on Wednesday. The winner will be announced in December.

“To win would be unbelievable as I’ve only been at the nursery for a year, but I’m just happy to be nominated,” said former restaurant chef John.

“I try to give children a variation in tastes and flavours. Everything is homemade.

“I think you shouldn’t be scared to let them try different foods. Older kids like a bit of spice.”

John trained at Blackpool College and worked in the former restaurant at the tower and at The Botanist in Knutsford.

“I enjoy this more than restaurants because I get to develop a dish from start to end. I adapt recipes to suit the under fours.”

Moussaka from Greece, beef stroganoff from Russia and Asian curries are among the children’s favourites.

John makes a different soup every day and serves each bowl with a miniature soda bread loaf.

His own version of Colcannon includes potatoes, leeks, cabbage and bacon.

John prepares themed dishes to celebrate special occasions.

“On Burns Night the kids had haggis and it went down well,” he said. “It is surprising the kind of food they enjoy.”

He shares his recipes with parents, adapting his large scale ingredients to suit a family of four.

Nursery manager Yvonne Hardcastle said: “John is an absolute gem. He is always coming up with new ideas.

“The menu he has created is fantastic. The smells coming from the kitchen make you feel so hungry.

“There are so many colours on the plate, it looks appetising to little ones.

“Nothing ruffles him. He is not only cooking for 80 children he has special diets to consider.

“We put the following week’s menu in our newsletter so parents can see what their children are going to be eating and can plan ahead.

“We are so very proud that John has got this far. We are hoping he wins.”

The nursery is thinking of putting a recipe book together for parents.