Budding young cooks from across the county have been showing off their culinary skills alongside top chefs.

A selection of finalists from this year’s Young Cooks Competition, organised by the KM Charity Team, visited the Dog at Wingham, near Canterbury, last week and were given the chance to cook in the award-winning pub kitchen.

The Primary and Secondary Finalists were treated to a special cooking masterclass with the team and a tour of the kitchen.

All five finalists then rolled up their sleeves and cooked up their own dishes for a group of hungry diners and VIP guests, including the Lord Mayor of Canterbury and former Great British Bake Off finalist Jane Beedle.

Abbie Latymer, Secondary Category Winner and Overall Young Cook 2022, designed the canapés, miniature pizza per sciogliere il cuore.

This was followed by a starter of smoked salmon mousse, pickles and soda bread from Joseph Rowlstone, the Further Education Category Winner.

The main meal of Spanish sea bass, chorizo and patatas bravas was prepared by Emily Attwell, a Further Education Finalist.

Two desserts, a beetroot brownie with raspberry sorbet by Secondary Finalist Thomas White and banana muffins by Primary Category Winner Sophia Lee, finished off the five-course meal.

“We normally only invite one winner but, with the changes to the judging process and so many great dishes, we decided to pick five courses,” says the Dog at Wingham owner Mark Brigden. “We’ve even offered Emily and Joseph the opportunity to come back, they were so good!”

Megan Marvier and Freya Carter from EKC Group Broadstairs College were also invited to lead the team at the event after successfully running the front of house at the Young Cooks finals earlier this year.

“We thought the food was delicious!” says Kate Fenwick, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, who was invited as a VIP guest. “The two cooks for the smoked salmon and sea bass are set for great culinary cooking careers!”

The Young Cooks Competition will be returning for 2023, and you can find details on how to enter here.

“Young Cooks isn’t about finding the next Master Chef; it’s about encouraging children and young people to learn an essential life skill,” says KM Charity Team CEO Mike Ward. “Young Cooks 2023 will be opening soon for entries and, because we have levelled the playing field, it’s accessible to everyone!”

Young Cooks is supported by the Dog at Wingham, Brakes, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, EKC Broadstairs College, Macknades Fine Foods, Golding Homes and Southern Co-Op.