Young cooks

The Competition Journey

Create & Cook is taking a break for 2022 due to COVID - please see our news page for more details.

Please follow steps 1 -4 to enter the competition and then fill in our entry form.

Download Entry form

Step 1

Find Local Ingredients

This competition is all about using local ingredients. We want you to search out food that is grown in Hampshire. You might find interesting ingredients in your local farm shop, your farmers market or even in your back garden. Home grown vegetables and fruit count as local ingredients. You must use at least 2 locally sourced ingredients in your menu that are available in the summer. Start with key local ingredients and then create your menu around them. You'll then have a brilliant entry.

Here are some good websites to search for local food:

Hampshire Fare

Hampshire Farmers' Markets

Step 1 Tips for Young Cooks (click to view)

Step 2

Step 2

Create your menu

To create your menu you must design:

  1. 2 course menu using at least 2 local ingredients
  2. your menu must have a summer theme as we hope to hold a final next summer. Try and use ingredients that are in season in June/July.
  3. you must include a salad element in your menu - a plant based dish with dressing. This can be a starter, side, main or desert.
  4. you have 90 minutes to cook your 2 dishes and you should cook 2 portions of each dish.
  5. you have a budget of £25 for ingredients. If you get through to the final we give you money for ingredients.

Have fun being creative...

    Step 2 Tips for Young Cooks (click to view)

    Step 3

    Step 3

    Cook your recipes

    For 2021 cooking the recipes is not essential. We know for many schools cooking is difficult with social distancing in place.

    Once you've designed your menu, write out your recipes and have fun cooking them. Make sure your recipes work and adapt them if they don't. Now is the time to refine your ideas and add some little extras. You need enough for two portions of each dish. Think about the presentation of your dishes too.

      Step 3 Tips for Young Cooks (click to view)

      Step 4

      Step 4

      Tell us your story

      The judges want to know the story behind your menu. Why did you choose your menu? Is there a personal connection to one of your local ingredients? Are you using a tried and tested family recipe? We also want to know a bit more about your love of cooking and who inspired you?

      Now you need to fill in the entry form and your teacher will send it off to us. Good luck!

        Step 4 Tips for Young Cooks (click to view)

        Step 5

        Be Inspired

        Here are recipes from past finalists that have a summer theme and use lots of local ingredients. They were created and cooked by young cooks just like you.

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