Primary and secondary pupils have the opportunity to serve up a stunner at Kent’s official school cookery contest.

Kent Cooks 2016 is now open for nominations, and key partner Suzanne Howe Communications, West Malling are readying their pallet for some exquisite food prepared by the chefs of tomorrow.

Suzanne Howe of Suzanne How Communications, said: “As a PR marketing company specialising in the food industry, to support an initiative which celebrates creativity and craft in the kitchen is a sheer pleasure.”

She added: “Food is such an important part of life, and the ability to cook is a truly invaluable skill. Throughout my life, cooking and preparing meals has been very dear to me. It grants people the opportunity to connect. A competition encouraging people to develop such a skill is wonderful.”

The Masterchef-style contest features three categories - primary, secondary and family - which requires entrants to prepare either one or two dishes.

The young chefs aged 19 and under are encouraged to produce a healthy recipe to a set budget and incorporate locally sourced ingredients to really impress the Kent Cooks judging panel.

Nominations must be received by Tuesday, November 1 and all applicants are required to submit a photograph of their signature dish as well as a recipe card.

Event finalists are invited to prepare their dishes at a VIP lunch 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.

Previous Kent Cooks champion Isabella Lee of Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone wowed the judges with her two-course menu of simmered duck with seasonal vegetables, and sticky toffee pudding.

Event supporters FFK Catering Equipment will supply all competitors with complimentary chef whites, as well as providing the winner chefs with a full set of professional cook’s knives so they can continue their culinary journey at home.

Lisa Craig, events manager at the KM Charity Team which organises Kent Cooks, said: “Watching children discover their passion for cooking is something to really cherish. The competition provides pupils with the chance to show their flavoursome flair, and build upon the foundations of this important lifeskill.

Suzanne Howe Communications will be part of the judging panel which includes fellow key partners FFK Catering Equipment, Golding Vision (Part of Golding Homes), Paul Babra, Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, S.E. Medical, Factory First Kent, Orbit South and Licensing Consultancy Services.

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