Rosie Robson, from Craster, and June Duddy, from Belford, had culinary experts John Burton Race, Ed Baines and Jilly Goolden licking their lips as part of a North East audition for TV programme Britain's Best Dish 2008.

The pair pitted their tasty treats against hundreds of hopefuls at Newcastle United's St James' Park ground on Saturday, April 26, and are among eight cooks who will represent the region.

Rosie's recipe for success was Craster Smoked Fish Pie – a main course – while June tickled the tastebuds with her starter, Chatton Cheese Quiche.

Both dishes were brimming with local ingredients.

Rosie, who is involved in the North Northumberland Food Trail, part of the Alnwick Food Festival, used ingredients such as smoked haddock and smoked salmon from Craster-based L Robson and Sons while June used produce such as Doddington's Berwick Edge cheese.

Rosie said: "I have always cooked this dish because it is a family favourite and is a way of using our smoked fish.

"This dish is very representative of our region. People use smoked fish up and down the coast."

Meanwhile, June's recipe is one which dates back to the 1850s and she has adapted the delicious dish into a quiche.

Last year, her quiche, which uses corned beef and chicken instead of the original wood pigeon, won a cooking competition launched by Stotty 'n' Spice Cake author Bill Griffiths, who wanted to uncover local recipes named after regional towns and villages.

But Mrs Duddy has vowed to change the dish to Chatton Cheese Cushot Pie for the next round.

She said: "Cushot was the name of a Northumberland wood pigeon and I have called it Chatton because I used to live there.

"I want to do this for my husband and my family who are so proud of me. It is also for the people of Alnwick, Chatton and Belford."