LONDON: Children challenged to CookIt! (From News Shopper)

London children challenged to CookIt!

2:05pm Friday 7th January 2011 in Freetime

CHILDREN in London are being challenged to show off their culinary skills in this year’s Cookit! competition.

The contest, run by The Guild of Food Writers and supported by Gold Top milk, is asking young people to put their cooking talents to the test by creating a two-course meal to demonstrate their skills in the kitchen.

Award winning food writer, Diana Henry, who is heading the panel of expert judges for 2011 said: “I’m delighted to be part of the CookIt! 2011 judging panel.

“Cooking is all about creating new ideas and connecting people through recipes and The Guild of Food Writers’ CookIt! competition is a fantastic way to get children to explore ingredients and develop their skills in the kitchen. I cannot wait to see what the children cook up for this year’s competition!”

The challenge is to create a menu for a delicious and imaginative two course meal for family or friends. The main meal needs to show off their imagination and originality and should be followed by a delicious dessert.

A spokesperson for the competition said: “The dishes don’t have to be complicated but must be their own creation and show originality and skill.”

Six finalists will be chosen to attend a cook off held at the BBC Good Food magazine kitchens in London this June. All finalists will receive exciting prizes with the main winner going on a family holiday to a working Jersey dairy farm.

Last year’s winner, 13-year-old Anamay Viswanathan from Streatham, said: “Going to the BBC Good Food kitchens last June to take part in the final of the CookIt! competition was very exciting.

“Valentine Warner and Stefan Gates watched on as we cooked our dishes and gave us pointers along the way. Hearing my name called out as the winner came as a total surprise!”

The theme is ‘In For The Skill’, aiming to get children excited about food, and is open to children aged 10-14 years. Details of the competition and an entry form are available at The Guild of Food Writers website. The closing date for entries is 28th April 2011 with the final cook off taking place on 9th June 2011.