County launches schools cooking competition

Young people aged seven to 14 years have the chance to shine in the kitchen with the MasterChef-style competition, Come & Cook.

The annual Denbighshire schools cooking competition aims to encourage young cooks to discover their local food and to develop the next generation's cooking skills.

The young chefs will create a menu using as many locally produced ingredients as possible and the competition will challenge pupils to learn about where their food comes from and explore the key issues of seasonality and sustainability.

The first round will take place in the county’s schools with a closing date of Friday, 12 June and then school winners will be invited to cook dishes for a VIP panel at a live MasterChef-style final, hosted by Denbigh High School, at the end of June.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said:  “The Council is supporting this competition because it’s such an amazing way for young people to demonstrate their skills and their passion about cooking by using ingredients that are local and healthy.

“This helps pupils learn about a healthy balanced diet which has a positive impact, not only on physical health, but also on mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as school performance.

“We are encouraging schools and young people to start thinking about and road-testing the recipes immediately.”

Over the past four years the annual competition has attracted and nurtured young talent and in line with the Eatwell Guide, to promote healthy eating, Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services has rebranding the competition under the title of Come & Cook.