Now in its third year, the free to enter Challenge from EBLEX Ltd students in Key Stage 3 and 4 are asked to submit an original recipe using Quality Standard beef mince.
This year, the Challenge has been designed to comply with the revised Design and Technology curriculum guidelines introduced this term which emphasise practical cooking and healthy eating using simple ingredients.
As a result, a record number of schools registered to take part in this year's Challenge with over 400 students sending in their original recipes.
Students wowed the judges with their culinary creations and the lucky finalists took part in a cook-off in six regions across the country in the first week of December to battle it out for the regional and national Quality Standard beef mince Young Chef Challenge 2008 title and the opportunity to join celebrity chef James Martin in the kitchen of a well-known restaurant.
The talented youngsters, who also had to develop a time plan and budget, were given one hour to cook their dish, which was judged on originality, nutrition, taste and presentation by celebrity chef James Martin.
