The summer is here and its time for school pupils to cook up a storm in the sunshine as the county’s official school cookery competition Kent Cooks is now launched.

Key partners of the annual culinary contest gathered at Chequers Kitchen Cookery School for the celebratory Summer Launch event and to practice their skills in the process.

Kent Cooks is designed to locate students across Kent, Medway and Bexley who have flavour and flair, and to excite the future generation about quality cooking.

Sarah Leipnik of Golding Homes, said: “Providing young people with essential life skills is something extremely important to us as social-community business. We want to encourage people to prepare, cook and enjoy healthy and wholesome foods, which is why we believe Kent Cooks is such a worthwhile initiative.”

Jack Harland of Benenden Hospital Trust, said: “We are delighted to be a part of this event because we take healthy eating and diet very seriously, and we are also extremely keen to see young people be given opportunities to grow, develop and thrive. Being educated about food is something truly invaluable, so we feel Kent Cooks is a cause worthy of celebration.”

The competition is now open for nominations and junior chefs aged 19 and under are eligible to take part.

Kent Cooks is divided into three core categories – primary, secondary and family – in which either a single or two dishes are prepared.

Organised in a Masterchef-style format, chefs are encouraged to produce healthy and cost-effective meals which incorporate local ingredients and produce.

All nominations must be received by Tuesday, November 1 and all applicants are required to send a photograph of their signature dish as well as a recipe card.

Lisa Craig, events manager at the KM Charity Team which organises the competition, said: “Kent Cooks is something we at the charity are forever championing. Enabling young people the chance to showcase their passion for cooking, or better yet to discover it, is something so deeply rewarding. Our Summer Launch event was fantastic and it was a sheer pleasure to have our partners and supporters together to promote this good cause.”

Key partners of Kent Cooks include Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, East Kent College, Whole School Meals, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Best Western Abborts Barton Hotel, Brakes, AMC Foods and Kentish Oils, Orbit South, S.E. Medical, Paul Babra, Benenden Hospital Trust, Suzanne Howe Communications, Golding Vision (Part of Golding Homes), Licensing Consultancy Service, and J.C. Rook and Sons.

For more information and to submit a nomination, visit www.kentcooks.co.uk

Click here to view the full event gallery