Young Cooks 2022 - a great way to have fun and learn an essential life skill at the same time!

Young people across Kent and Medway are annually invited to take part in the south east’s Young Cooks cookery competition with the winners receiving a share of £500! And some lucky winners will get to cook their dishes for invited guests at a renowned Kent restaurant and the chance to gain an outstanding work experience in a professional kitchen!

The idea is to encourage all young people to roll up their sleeves, get stuck in and discover how much fun cooking can be - while learning vital life skills along the way!

Young Cooks 2022 is proudly supported by Three R's Teacher Recruitment, Brakes, Golding Homes, EKC Group, Diggerland, Southern Co-op, The Dog at Wingham and Macknade.

The Young Cooks judges this year include former Bake Off star Jane Beedle. Finalists will be chosen based on their entries and those who make the shortlist will be invited to an exciting final.

Any child or young person aged 7 to 21 may enter Young Cooks within the following categories:

Primary - 7 to 11 years

Prepare two dishes, a homemade lasagne and cupcakes of your choice. You will need to include photos of the dishes and details of the ingredients, the method and the cost. The meal should cost no more than £10.

Primary finalists will be asked to cook one of their entry dishes and also complete a fun skills test!

Secondary - 11 to 16 years

Prepare two dishes, a homemade pizza (including the dough) and a vegetable based cake or dessert. They will need to include photos of the dishes and details of the ingredients, the method and the cost. The meal should cost no more than £10.

Secondary finalists will be asked to cook one of their entry dishes and also do a fun skills test.

Further Education - 16 to 21 years

Further Education entries will need to prepare two dishes completely of their choice. This can be a starter and main or main and dessert. They will need to include photos of the dishes and details of their ingredients, method and cost - sticking to a budget of £10.

These will be the dishes they will be asked to cook at the the final!

There are some great prizes including a share in £500. A family pass for four to the amazing Diggerland. The chance to cook at the renowned Dog at Wingham under the guidance of a head chef and many more!

The CEO of the Kent and Medway Charity Team said "Young Cooks isn’t just about finding the next British Master Chef it’s much more about getting children and families involved and learning an essential life skill. We have this year changed the focus and entry requirements for several reasons but mainly to level the playing field – all category entries cook the same dish and they can only spend a maximum of £10. We want it to be fun and inclusive and if we happen to find the next Michelin Star chef, so much the better!"

So get your rolling pins at the ready and and cook!

For more information and how to enter visit the Young Cooks website

Young Cooks is open for entries now and will close on Monday 18 April 2022!