The judging panel of Young Cooks got into hot water this week to encourage wannabe chefs to submit entries.

The competition gives youngsters aged six to 19 years the chance to get creative in the kitchen. There are cash prizes for the winners of the primary, secondary and family categories, and a top prize of £200 for the overall champion.

The judges went head to head at Chequers Kitchen Cookery School in Deal for a challenge to create the best bacon, maple and spring onion scones. Head chef Pieter Van Zyl put them through their paces giving a taste of what’s in store for Young Cooks finalists.

Natalie Bond from Three R’s Teacher Recruitment was excited to return as a judge. “The standard last year was amazing so I’m looking forward to seeing how they go this year,” she said.

Scott Taylor from Taylor Meats added that “cooking is a life skill and to encourage children to cook from scratch is awesome.”

Also judging entries will be representatives from The Dog at Wingham, Brakes, Kent Catering Service, Southern Co-op, Whole School Meals, Golding Vision, Principals by CH&CO, S.E. Medical, and Macknade Fine Foods.

Entrants are required to cook one or two dishes - depending on competition category - and upload a photograph and recipe details to the Young Cooks website. Parents, guardians or teachers can assist in completing the online form.

Finalists will be invited to cook their signature dishes at a MasterChef-style cook-off which will be held at East Kent College in November.

“Our judges are fantastic sports and really got stuck in to the challenge,” said Young Cooks coordinator Hannah Hawksworth. “They passionately believe in our aim to get young people cooking with confidence and learning about healthy options.”

She added: “Any entries received by September 1 will go into a prize draw to win a pair of Eurostar tickets, so there’s no better excuse for everyone to get cooking over the summer holidays.”

For more details, to request free promotional leaflets, or to enter, visit www.YoungCooks.org.uk or contact Hannah at hhawksworth@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 0844 264 0291.