Natasha Burton, a pupil at Arthur Mellows Village College in Glinton, near Peterborough, was nominated for the award by her food technology teacher, Alison Cavanagh.

Mrs Cavanagh said: “I feel Natasha deserves to be nominated for the award – not because she has invented any world-changing product, but just for being a determined and hard-working young lady.”

The proud teacher said that Natasha had made huge progress, both as a pupil and as a person.

She said: “What she has achieved is amazing considering she used to be a timid, shy pupil only a year ago.

“Natasha has a statement of special educational needs and came into the group with fairly weak basic skills.

“She has difficulty with language and communication, as well as concentrating and listening for a long period of time.”

The 16-year-old started at the school with a prediction of an F, and through sheer hard work, enjoyment and love of the subject her coursework achieved a GCSE B grade.

Mrs Cavanagh said: “It was such a super improvement on what she was predicted.

“It has been such a pleasure seeing a pupil grow in confidence, gain popularity and enjoy her design and technology food lessons to the extent that she did.”

Natasha, from Hampton, Peterborough, was “shocked” when told of her nomination, but believes she has worked hard enough to earn it.

She said: “It feels really weird being nominated as I was only presented with a food tech certificate for improvement and effort at the end of year assembly.

“I can’t believe Mrs Cavanagh has done this to me again.

“I went bright red during the assembly. I will be having words with her!”

Natasha said that the award was all down to the effort she had put into her cooking and course work.

She said: “I have never had anything like this before, and then I get nominated for two awards in a row.

“I worked really hard to up my grades, and I am pleased with myself.”

The cooking fan now works part-time at the Lady Anne hotel in Stamford.

She said there was a possibility that she could go on to college.

The Evening Telegraph Education Awards 2007 will be held at The Key Theatre, in Embankment Road, Peterborough, on Monday, July 16.

The closing date for entries is Monday, June 18.

nTo nominate someone, call Gemma Sleight on 01733 555111.