Masterchef star hosts local cookery contest

JPCT 031213 Horsham launch of the Create and Cook Competition at The Pass, South Lodge Hotel. L to R teacher Yvonne West, chef Steven Edwards (Masterchef competitor), teacher Amanda Reid, Min Raisman (fit2cook) and Jordan Powell 15. Photo by Derek Martin

The 2014 Create and Cook Competition invites all 12-14 year olds to design a two course menu using as much West Sussex produce as possible.

Run by fit2cook food education and sponsored by The Southern Co-operative, the competition is aimed at encouraging young cooks to discover the fantastic local ingredients grown around them and challenges young chefs to be as creative as possible in their menus.

The launch was hosted by head chef Steve Edwards from South Lodge Hotel, who knows a thing or two about cooking in a competitive environment, as not only has he won Sussex Young Chef of the Year in the past, but right now he is starring in the final of Masterchef – The Professionals on BBC2.

“It’s a great experience being in a cookery competition and when you are young it often gives you the confidence boost you need to pursue cooking as a career,” said Steve at the launch.

“Cookery competitions are great fun but they can also lead to real work opportunities.”

The Create & Cook Competition wants to encourage links to the workplace whether it’s in a top hotel kitchen, in a local farm shop or working on the farm.

If you know of any young cooks who would like to enter the 2014 Create & Cook Competition, they can do so through their school food technology department and have until March 28, 2014 to work on their menus.

The top West Sussex young cooks will then be chosen to cook their menus in front of a panel of judges at Chichester College in May 2014. The winning pair will go on to a Regional Final against Hampshire and Isle of Wight schools in June. The overall 2014 Create and Cook Competition winners will scoop the fit2cook trophy and £1,000 for their school food technology department.

The West Sussex Create and Cook Competition is sponsored by The Southern Co-operative and supported by South Lodge Hotel, Chichester College, the Centre of Excellence for Regional Food and Drink at Brinsbury and West Sussex County Council. For more visit www.fit2cook.co.uk/createandcook

Dec 2013) at the Michelin starred Pass Restaurant, South Lodge