The Guild of Food Writers has launched its competitions to find the country’s best young cooks and food writers of 2011. Named CookIt! and WriteIt!, the two annual competitions attract hundreds of entries with great prizes.
Here is what the Guild are looking for:
‘The theme for CookIt! is ‘In for the Skill?’ and young cooks are being challenged to demonstrate their talents in the kitchen by creating an imaginative main meal and dessert. The dishes don’t have to be complicated but must be completely original and show creativity and skill in the kitchen.
CookIt! is open to children aged 10–14 years. Six finalists will be chosen to attend a cook-off in London in June 2011 at BBC Good Food magazine’s kitchens. The finalists efforts will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges, which will this year include Diana Henry, award winning food writer for The Sunday Telegraph.
All finalists will receive exciting prizes with the main winner going on a family holiday to a working Jersey dairy farm.
Write It is open to students aged 18 and under. The competition invites pieces of around 1,000 words – fiction or non-fiction – on any food related subject. It could be as simple as a descriptive piece based on a person or place that inspired an interest in food; or a report of a visit to a restaurant, market or food shop; or a campaigning article about a food subject; or a short story with a food theme.
The judges this year will be food writers Bee Wilson, Matthew Fort and Karen Barnes, editor of Delicious magazine. The judges are looking for a real passion and understanding of the chosen subject.
The lucky winner will receive a laptop.
The closing date for entries is Friday 13 May 2011.