Young chefs are invited to showcase their culinary skills in the county’s official school cookery contest.

Kent Cooks – the Masterchef-inspired competition devised by the KM Charity Team – is now open for entries, and those who submit theirs by September 1 will be entered into a special prize draw.

All early submissions will be automatically in with a chance of claiming a pair of Eurostar tickets redeemable against trips to destinations including Paris and Brussels.

One such entrant who is serving up summer is Eva Wynat, 9, of Sandwich Junior School who has taken inspiration from the shores with her “Sunny Beach” dish. Rich with ingredients including King Prawns, Seaweed and Cinnamon, her meal is a sunshine feast.

Young Eva is also a member of Girl Guiding Kent (2nd Ash Brownies). All entries submitted by Girl Guiding and Scouts members will be awarded with a special Kent Cooks occasional badge.

The competition is open to junior chefs aged six to 19, and is divided into three core categories – primary, secondary and family – in which either a single or two dishes are prepared.

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.

Chefs are encouraged to produce healthy and cost-effective meals which incorporate local ingredients and produce.

Lisa Craig, events manager at the KM Charity Team, said: “We are hoping to see many Kent Cooks entries arrive before the end of the summer holidays this year. With such a fantastic incentive on offer to do so, we believe we’ll be seeing some of the tastiest and most creative entries ever to feature in the competition. We love Eva’s “Sunny Beach” dish which showcases not only her cooking skills and flair, but her imagination.”

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

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