The search is on to find the winner of the 2009 Kent Young Chef Award.

The competition supported by the KM Group has been given the backing of Kent celebrity chef Richard Phillips who will be on the judging panel.

Launched by Produced in Kent the competition aims to find a brand new recipe thought up by one of the county’s secondary school students.

It will culminate in a live cook off at Thanet College in November where it will be hosted by TV’s award-winning Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan.

Teenagers have the chance to prove they can devise an original recipe made using seasonal autumnal ingredients grown locally in Kent.

The competition and award sponsored by leading local foodservice supplier kff, is open for entries now.

Watch the video above to find out what Kent chef and competition judge Richard Phillips is looking for from entrants.

How to enter:

If you are at school in Kent or live in Kent and are in year groups 7-11 you are eligible to enter.

Step one:

You’ll need to write your own original recipe to serve two people. Ingredients need to be local and seasonal – check What’s in Season this Autumn on the Produced in Kent website .

The recipe must be a main course dish and can be meat, fish or vegetarian.

Step two:

Simply visit the Produced in Kent website to view the rules of entry and to enter.

Step three:

The eight best entries – four from the junior competition (YG 7-8) and four from the senior competition (YG 9-11) will be invited to take part in November's live cook off at Thanet College.