A Kent-based supplier to the catering industry is calling for children and teenagers to enter the KM Kent Cooks contest and compete for a share of £500.

Brakes Group is a key partner of the annual school cookery competition which aims to build confidence in the kitchen and an awareness of healthy eating amongst Kent’s youngsters.

Zoe Gill, business development chef at Brakes, said: “Submit your entry whether it’s a fantastic recipe for macaroni cheese or a beautiful fish pie. You never know that might be our winning dish for 2015 - and also it may be the start of a fantastic career path in catering and hospitality.”

Kent Cooks is open to entries from young people aged between six and 19 years and has three categories: Primary School, Secondary School and Families for adult-and-child teams.

Entrants are required to prepare one or two dishes depending on category and upload photographs of their dishes to the kentcooks.co.uk website together with written details of their recipes.

The overall Kent Cooks champion will receive the top prize of £200. Fifty pounds will go to the winning primary school pupil and £150 will be awarded to the top secondary school pupil. The family category winner will take home £100.

Kent Cooks is also supported by organisations including Mini Babybel, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Countrystyle Recycling, Kent Cookery School, East Kent College, Orbit South, S.E. Medical, VooServers, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), DFDS Seaways, Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel, PaulBabra.co.uk, and Licensing Consultancy Services.

Finalists will enjoy the thrill of a Masterchef-style event where they will prepare their recipes for a judging panel on November 26 at East Kent College, Broadstairs.

To find out more or to request free promotional leaflets for schools, visit www.kentcooks.co.uk.