Cooking contest for schools now open

Schools can now submit entries for the annual cookery contest, which aims to uncover the best young cooking talent in the region.

The competition was launched at The Dog at Wingham, where the judges spoke of their pride and excitement at being involved with the event.

Young Cooks Launch 2019 from Inspire Schools on Vimeo.

Sarah Leipnik of Golding Homes said: “We’re supporting this project because it’s such an amazing way for young people to demonstrate their skills and their passion about cooking and using ingredients that are local and healthy.”

The competition is organised by the KM Charity Team and open to entries from schools and families in Kent, Medway, Bexley, Sussex and London.

Entrants are required to create and cook one or two dishes (depending on competition category) and then take a photograph of the meal. Pictures and recipe details must be uploaded to the Young Cooks website before the 7 November deadline.

Young Cooks coordinator Hannah Hawksworth said: “I’m so excited to get the ball rolling for the 2019 Young Cooks contest and would invite schools and young people to start thinking about and road-testing their recipes immediately.”

She added: “The competition is open to any young person in the south east aged between 6 and 19, and you can enter either individually or as part of a two-person team with a parent or guardian.”

Young Cooks finalists will be invited to cook their dishes for a VIP panel at an exciting live MasterChef-style event at East Kent College.

Finalists and winners will be chosen by representatives of CH & Co Group, SE Medical Ltd, Chequers Kitchen, Broadstairs College, Brakes, Three R's Teacher Recruitment, Southern Cooperative, Kent Catering Services, Whole School Meals and Taylor Meats.

A £500 prize pot will be shared out between the winners of the Primary school, family and Secondary school categories and one overall champion.

For more information, to enter, or to request free promotional leaflets, visit the Young Cooks website

The KCC-supported publication Developing an Educational Legacy details how this initiative (formerly known as Kent Cooks) links to Ofsted.

Contact Details

Hannah Hawksworth
Telephone: 08442 640291
Email: hhawksworth@thekmgroup.co.uk