Ben Budd isn’t old enough to buy a pint in the pub where he works — but at just 15 years old, he’s already cooking up a Sunday roast that’s earning high praise in Farnham.

Inside the kitchen of The Six Bells pub, just off the Six Bells Roundabout in Lower Hale, Ben is already turning heads with his culinary talent.

The centuries-old pub, believed to be more than 300 years old and built from the remnants of a Roman aqueduct, is now home to one of the town’s most promising young chefs.

Ben, who recently won a Regional Junior MasterChef competition with the support of his school, spends his Sundays doing more than the average teen.

While many his age are on the football pitch or playing Xbox, Ben is working along alongside the chefs, preparing classic roast dinners for a packed pub.

“I love cooking but it can get tiring with all the things going like school and work,” said Ben, a student at Weydon School. “But I don’t know what to do with myself when I’m not busy.

“I began working as a waiter two years ago when I was 13 and then moved into the kitchen as a dishwasher. I then helped prepare the veg and slowly moved up until now on Sundays, alongside the kitchen manager, we make the roast dinners.”

Ben credits his passion for food to his grandmother, saying: “My nan taught me how to cook and from then on I just fell in love with cooking.”

General manager Jay Brown praised the teen’s skill and attitude.

“Ben has really levelled up our dishes when it comes to presentation. He learns so quickly off of the other chefs and when I tell him to do something he usually does it,” he said.

“He often wants the best ingredients money can buy, but we’ve taught him about the finances of running a kitchen and a business.”

Ben’s cooking also wins him praise from customers.

Jay said: “People say to me can you give my compliments to the chef and I bring out Ben and they are shocked to see that it was a kid who cooked their meal and think it is a joke at first.

“I think our roast is the best in Farnham, I want people to come to The Six Bells and try Ben’s roast dinner. He is a master especially when it comes to Yorkshire puddings - he does about 100 Yorkshire puddings in just one day. “

Next door to the pub is the new Deer Park development where Miller Homes is building 65 new homes.

Jay said: “Whilst we have seen a decrease in footfall whilst the new development is ongoing we can’t wait for more customers to come in and try our food and beverages.

“We are a family pub who caters to families and dogs are allowed as well.”

Ben plans to further his skills in catering by attending Westminster Kingsway College after finishing his exams, with the long-term goal of opening his own restaurant.