Judges of the county’s official children’s cookery contest went head to head at the autumn relaunch of Kent Cooks to make their own sizzling showstoppers.

The event, staged at Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel in Canterbury, was a call for youngsters, families, and schools to join in the fun before the competition entry deadline of November 7.

Children entering the Primary School category are required to make one dish while Secondary School entries must include two complementary meals. The Family category is open to adult and child pairings to make two dishes.

Entrants take photographs of their meals and upload the images plus recipe details to the Kent Cooks website. Parents, guardians, or teachers can complete the simple online entry form on the youngster’s behalf.

Event organiser Maxine Tarquini from Kent Cooks said: “We hope to whip up excitement in kitchens across the county and encourage children and young people to cook with confidence. Our judges are looking forward to seeing a range of healthy and delicious menus prepared to a fixed budget.”

Just 13 young cooks will be selected to join a MasterChef style final at East Kent College, Broadstairs to prepare their meals for the judging panel. Marks will be given for taste, technical ability, presentation, originality, nutrition, and use of locally sourced ingredients.

Cooking up a storm at the Kent Cooks relaunch were Suzanne Howe from Suzanne Howe Communications, Gary Storer of Orbit, Daniel Sangiuseppe from Abbots Barton Hotel, Jane Barlow of Benenden Hospital Trust, Leah Macdonald from Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Sarah-Jane Leipnik of Golding Homes, Seth Proctor from Licensing Consultancy Services, Julia Hallett of Whole School Meals, Phil Cornish and Stuart Guest from NFU Mutual, and Jono Erodotou of S.E. Medical.

Joining the judging panel at the competition final will be representatives from Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, FFK Catering, The Southern Co-operative, and Brakes.

To enter, view previous entries, or request promotional leaflets, visit www.kentcooks.co.uk