Pippa Middleton's skills in the kitchen are second to none, say tutors at a posh culinary school.

Pippa attended a course at The Grange costing £3,600-a-month during the summer of 2002, and received top marks for the food she produced.

‘Judging by our notes, Pippa was as good a student as we ever see. She came to us after finishing her A-levels, probably as part of her gap year,' confirms The Grange's owner Jane Averill.

‘The students are mostly from private schools and they hope to use a reference from us to get work while they are off travelling or to get a job in a ski resort.'

While attending the course, Pippa met lifelong friend Camilla Hook.

For her final assessment, she produced a menu of saffron scallops, pan-fried red snapper and caramelised banana bavarois.

‘I tasted the meal she produced,' teacher William Averill tells The Mail on Sunday, 'and it was absolutely excellent.'