A key partner of the county’s official school cookery contest is on the lookout for junior chefs that are a cut above the rest of the competition.

Factory First Kent Catering Equipment Supplies (FFK) will be offering winners some fantastic prizes as a further incentive to take part in Kent Cooks 2016.

Darren Tutt of FFK, said: “We will be providing all participants with Chefs Whites which can be kept following the event, but more excitingly, we will supply Kent Cooks winners with a full set of professional cook’s knives so their culinary journey can continue from home.”

Mr Tutt was also quick to comment on the importance of promoting cookery to the younger generation. “Being able to cook and prepare healthy, cost-effective meals is a fundamental life-skill. We believe it is vital to support the chefs of the future, which is why we are most passionate about the Kent Cooks initiative which provides children a fun environment to really hone their abilities,” he said.

The Masterchef-style competition features three categories – primary, secondary and family – which require chefs to produce either one or two dishes.

Chefs aged 6 to 19 are eligible to take part in Kent Cooks, which is now open for entries. All children must supply a photograph of their dish or dishes with a recipe card to www.kentcooks.co.uk by Tuesday, November 1.

Those who submit their entries by Thursday, September 1 will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a pair of Eurostar travel tickets.

Event finalists will be invited to cook their signature dishes at a VIP luncheon where they will compete for a share of the £500 prize money.

The winning primary school pupil will receive £50, £100 will be awarded to the family winner, the secondary student will receive £150 and the Kent Cooks overall champion will be awarded £200.

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

Lisa Craig, events manager at the KM Charity Team which organises the event, said: “Kent Cooks strives to provide children with a passion for cooking – or those who haven’t yet realised it – with an exciting and rewarding outlet. The event continues to go from strength-to-strength, and with the initial incentive of winning sets of professional cooking knives, there has never been a better time to prove yourself in the kitchen!”

For further information on how to take part, visit the Kent Cooks website or contact Lisa Craig at 0844 264 0291