A Kent catering equipment supplier has joined the hunt for the next generation of culinary champions by becoming a key partner of Kent Cooks 2016.

Kent’s official school cookery contest is now open for entry, and FFK Catering Equipment Suppliers based in Upchurch, Sittingbourne, are urging young people to get fired up.

Darren Tutt, of FFK, said: “We spend our lives in kitchens with cooks, so we think it’s incredibly important to support the chefs of the future. We greatly look forward to seeing what entrants will produce on competition day.”

The firm will also be offering prizes to winners as further incentive for entry. He added: “FFK will be providing all entrants with chefs whites which can be kept following the event, and granting winners with a full set of professional cook’s knives so the journey can continue from home.”

The Masterchef-style competition features three categories - primary, secondary and family - which require chefs to produce either one or two dishes.

Any child or young person aged 19 or under is eligible for entry during the nomination window which is open until Tuesday, November 1.

Entry requirements are a photograph of the pupil’s signature dish together with a recipe card which must be submitted to www.kentcooks.co.uk

Entrants are encouraged to produce a healthy recipe to a set budget and to use locally sourced ingredients. Event finalists are invited to cook their dishes at the VIP live final lunch where they will compete for a share of the £500 prize money.

The winning primary school pupil will receive £50, £100 will be awarded to the family winner, the secondary student will receive £150 and the Kent Cooks overall champion will be awarded £200.

Lisa Craig, events manager at the KM Charity Team which organises the event, said: “Kent Cooks continues to grow each and every year, and it is very humbling to see so many local children finding and exploring their passion for cooking. Get ahead of the competition by submitting a nomination today.”

FFK will be part of the judging team which includes fellow key partners Orbit South, Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel, Suzanne Howes Communications, Factory First Kent, Paul Babra, Golding Vision (Part of Golding Homes), Licensing Consultancy Services, Brakes, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and S.E. Medical.

For more information, or to enquire about your business becoming a judge of the event, contact Lisa Craig at lcraig@thekmgroup.co.uk or 0844 264 0291