Your invitation to be a Kent Cook
Young people are invited to take part in Kent and Medway’s annual masterchef-style event by preparing a dish they would like to see cooked in a school dining hall or college canteen.

Any child or young person aged 19 or under may enter KM Kent Cooks. Finalists will be invited to cook their dish for our VIP panel at the live final on Friday, November 30.
The aim 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.
The finalists will not only have to cook their dish, they will also have to spend a few minutes explaining to the judges how and why they created it, so confident presentational skills are also needed.
Category - primary
- Primary school pupils are asked to create one dish or drink using a budget of no more than £2.
- The child must prepare the dish in up to 90min and will have the support of a trained mentor at the final.
- A photo or drawing of the dish must be submitted with the entry.
Category – secondary- Secondary school pupils are asked to create two dishes using a budget of no more than £4.
- The young person must cook unassisted if invited to the final and prepare the dishes in 120min.
- A photo or drawing of the dish must be submitted with the entry.
- In addition the young person must bring to the final a pre-prepared single-sided menu card no more than A4 in size which might be used to promote their dishes in a school canteen or college restaurant. This should not be submitted with the application.
Category - family
- A child or young person to create two dishes alongside a parent/carer using a budget of no more than £5.
- A separate photo of the dish and photo of the parent/carer and child holding the dish should be submitted with each entry. Each dish must be submitted as a separate entry.
- If short listed the family team must prepare the dish within 120 minutes at the live final.
Note: Extra credit will be given for dishes that are clearly healthy lifestyle in nature and / or use Kentish produce, however this is not critical to the chef’s success in this competition. Judging is in five age bands.
Category – video
A prize will be awarded to the best cooking video. Video must relate to one of the above competition categories but may involve adult support behind the camera. Videos should demonstrate a step by step approach to the preparation of a dish and be no longer than 10min in length.
How to take part
Parents or teachers should complete the simple online entry form at
www.kmhealthylifestyles.co.uk on the child’s behalf before November 2, 2012. View the website for additional information.
Got a question? Call the KM Charity Team on 0844 264 0291 (lo-call)
Click here to go to the entry form
Click for guidance on photos
Click to view terms and conditions
Frequently asked questions

Kent Cooks 2011 event video