The star of children’s TV show Mister Maker is encouraging families to enter Kent Cooks.

Phil Gallagher, who is an Honorary Patron of the KM Charity Team which stages the annual event, is hoping more parent and child teams will enter this year’s competition, but with the closing date on 1 November, time is running out to get involved.

Phil said: “Cooking is great fun and a key life skill. I would encourage young people and families to enter Kent Cooks. I am looking forward to seeing how creative you have been in the kitchen as all the dishes entered have their own online recipe page on the Kent Cooks website! I might even feature your dish on the Phil and Ted blog I support.”

There are three categories: primary school pupils cook one dish, secondary students cook two complimentary dishes and parent and child teams entering the family category must cook two dishes. Every dish entered becomes an online recipe card and the best entrants are invited to attend the live cook-off.

Any child or young person aged six to 19 may enter KM Kent Cooks during the nomination window. Children and families have until midnight on 1 November to enter Kent Cooks, making this final weekend of the school holidays the last chance to get involved.

The county’s official school cooking competition offers youngsters taking part a chance to win a share of £500 and the opportunity to cook in a Masterchef-style event.

The aim is to develop the confidence and abilities of young people to prepare meals to a fixed budget, as well as to increase awareness of healthy options and locally grown Kentish produce.

Deadline to submit a completed entry: Complete the simple online entry form at www.kentcooks.co.uk before midnight on Tuesday 1st November.