Judges of Kent Cooks are now accepting entries to the children and family cooking competition, which aims to encourage healthy meal options and locally sourced produce to be on the menu.

Celebrated for candidates' level of expertise, innovation and confidence in the kitchen, the competition has gone from strength to strength each year since its launch in 2009.

The contest is divided into three principal categories – primary, secondary and family. Primary participants are required to prepare a single dish, whilst family and secondary entrants must prepare two.

Daniel Sangiuseppe the Abbots Barton Hotel, said: “This year we are aiming to build on what has become a great competition, I can’t wait to see the entries we receive for 2017.”

Jono Erodotou of S.E. Medical said: I want to encourage more families to get involved this year, not just parent and child, but brothers and sisters can team up as a family entry, which would be great to see."

Chefs must cook their dishes to a fixed budget and in a set time, to add an extra challenge to the competition.

Competitors aged from six to 19 are eligible to take part and are required to upload a photo of their dish as well as the method and ingredients they used.

Those shortlisted to attend a live Masterchef-style cook-off will have their dishes tasted by food industry experts and compete for a share of £500.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team, which stages the annual competition, said: "Cooking is a vital life skill and this contest aims to tempt more young people to think about cooking, as well as encourage the more experienced to step up their creativity in the kitchen."

Kent Cooks is backed by an array of key partners including Brakes, SE Medical, Golding Homes, CastleWood Hotels, Suzanne Howe Communications, NFU Mutual, Factory First, Whole School Meals, LC Services, Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, Benenden Hospital Trust, Three R's teacher recruitment, East Kent College, and Orbit.

For more information or to submit an entry visit www.kentcooks.co.uk