TWO students employed by separate Herefordshire pubs are a step closer to sampling a week’s work experience in South Africa.

Elliot Emery and Ryan Saville, both hospitality and catering students at Herefordshire and Ludlow College, are through to the final of national competition Cook South Africa.

Next up for the pair is a challenge to come up with the best authentic South African-themed dish during the final at Westminster Kingsway College.

The winners will spend a week at The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais in South Africa’s culinary capital Franschhoek, near Cape Town.

Mr Saville, who works at The Bay Horse on Kings Acre Road in Hereford, said: “I’m really pleased we have got into the finals and the whole process has been a bit of an eye-opener for my creative skills.

“I’m really pleased to get through,” said Mr Emery, who works at the Stagg Inn in Titley. “I wasn’t sure if I would because this is going to be my first big competition.”