If you can’t stand the heat – get into the kitchen! That is the message from the organisers of Kent Cooks, the county’s official cookery contest for youngsters.

Wannabe chefs aged between six and 19 years who submit an entry during the school summer holidays will go into a prize draw to win Eurostar tickets.

“Kent Cooks is a fantastic way to keep the kids amused during the long holiday period,” said Maxine Tarquini of the KM Charity Team who run the annual competition.

“All they need to do is choose a delicious and healthy recipe or two and whip it up in the kitchen. Then take a photograph of the finished dish and upload it to the Kent Cooks website along with recipe details. Parents or guardians can join in the fun by entering the family category which allows an adult and child submission.

“But hurry, there’s not much time left to be in with the chance to win the Eurostar prize!”

The best Kent Cooks entries will win a place at an exciting Masterchef style final in November. Competitors will use the professional facilities at East Kent College to prepare their menus for a judging panel of representatives from Chequers Kitchen Cookery School; Three R’s Teacher Recruitment; Benenden Hospital Trust; Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel; FFK Catering; Suzanne Howe Communications; Golding Homes; Whole School Meals; S.E. Medical; Orbit South; Licensing Consultancy Services; NFU Mutual; The Southern Co-operative; and Brakes.

A prize pot of £500 will be shared by the Primary, Secondary, and Family category winners and the Overall Kent Cooks champion.

To enter, view previous entries, or request free promotional leaflets, visit www.kentcooks.co.uk