A case involving the parents of 14-year-old Four Marks chef Dexter Olejarka has been adjourned until the end of October.

Greg and Karen Olejarka, of Telegraph Lane, Four Marks, and Crane Feasts are accused of knowingly and continually allowing Dexter to be unlawfully employed on the family’s food truck from around January 30 this year.

The prosecution relates to Hampshire County Council’s child employment by-laws, which prohibit children of any age from being employed within a commercial kitchen.

The Olejarkas dispute the allegation and maintain that Dexter cooks as a hobby.

The couple attended Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Speaking to the Herald afterwards, Karen said: “Due to multiple issues we have to return to court at the end of October.”

Dexter has built up a following by cooking on the food truck with Greg at venues and events across Hampshire.

His activities came to the attention of Hampshire County Council at the end of January, with the subsequent dispute attracting national headlines.

Karen said the family had sought legal advice and were now investigating whether Dexter could continue cooking outside Hampshire.

She said: “We did a GoFundMe campaign which paid for the solicitor on Thursday, and with the rest of the money we asked him to investigate the by-laws in other council areas so he can work there.

“He has a pop-up in Reading and they’ve got no problem with him being there. They think he’s amazing.”

Dexter is in Year 10 at Perins School in Alresford and has just started his GCSE courses.

Karen said: “It’s been a bit difficult at school because he’s kind of lost the enthusiasm for it. He’s done the teenage thing – if I can’t do what I want to do, why should I do what I have to? It’s just a very sad situation for a very passionate and hard-working young man.

“Dexter and Greg have just come back from their very first barbecue competition in Hereford, where they came fourth. The winner goes to Las Vegas to compete for a million dollars, so he’s obviously got some talent and it’s a shame he’s being punished for having a hobby that’s not the norm.”

The case is due to return to Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court at the end of October.