Secondary school pupils keen to enter a cookery contest needn’t worry about the competition leaving them with too many pots on the hob.

The rules for the Young Cooks competition mean children studying food technology can submit recipes prepared as part of their school work, so there is no need for any duplication or extra work.

And young people still have time to enter recipes for the competition: the deadline is midnight on Wednesday November 7.

Competition organiser Maxine Tarquini said: “Secondary school pupils who are already groaning under the weight of their studies can rest assured that entering Young Cooks will not add extra obligations to their already packed schedules.

“If they’re studying food technology at school, they can simply submit recipes prepared in class – making the competition as easy and stress-free as possible. You needn’t be a wizard at multitasking to enter.

“But don’t take it too easy – with the competition deadline now approximately six weeks away, children need to get their entries in soon.”

Organised by the KM Charity Team, Young Cooks is open to young people aged six to 19, who are invited to submit ideas for dishes that are healthy and delicious.

The Young Cooks judges are Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Orbit, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, The Dog at Wingham, Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, Licensing Consultancy Services, The Southern Co-operative, Whole School Meals, Brakes, East Kent College, Kent Catering Service and Macknade Fine Foods.

The finalists will be invited to cook their dish for a VIP panel at a live MasterChef-style final at East Kent College in Broadstairs, and there are cash prizes for primary school, secondary and family champions, with £200 going to the overall winner.

And then, early next year, the overall winner will prepare a celebratory banquet for VIP guests, including competition judges, at The Dog at Wingham.

The aim of the competition 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.

Find out more, including entry details, at www.youngcooks.org.uk.