The Competition in 2 Easy Steps
Step One: Design an original recipe
Recipes can be submitted from the 7th June to the 15th October 2010.
Students are invited to submit an original recipe. Whether it's adding a new twist to an old classic or creating something totally different, all recipes must be developed and cooked from scratch.
The original recipe must:
- Include 225g of Red Tractor beef OR lamb mince
- Serve 2 people
- Include a full ingredients list (with quantities)
- Include a comprehensive recipe method
- Include a working time plan
- Be within a budget of £10
- Entries must also include a photograph of the finished dish
Use the recipe and budget template provided and see lesson plans and previous winners for inspiration
The recipes will be marked from 1 (poor) to 5 (outstanding) on the following elements:
- Ingredients List
- Budget
- Recipe method
- Working time plan
The judging panel will be looking to see that these elements are present and accurate and adhere to the rules and regulations - Recipe Originality
The judging panel are looking for a creative spin on an old classic or something entirely unique to capture their top scores - Dish Presentation
In the image the judging panel will be looking to see the way in which the dish is plated and presented - Overall Nutritional Value
We place importance on a healthy and well balanced meal. We are looking to see that students have developed recipes based on nutritional advice from sources such as the Government's eat well plate.
Students are asked to create a main dish using Red Tractor beef or lamb mince with a salad or vegetable accompaniment.
Step Two: Battle it out in the Regional Cook-Offs
Students who have been selected for the cook-offs will be informed in October 2010. The regional cook-off will then take place 1st-3rd December.
See chart below for dates and locations.
| Date | Region | Cook-Off Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 1st December (AM) | North East Yorkshire & Humberside |
Leeds |
| Wednesday 1st December (PM) | North West | Manchester |
| Thursday 2nd December (AM) | South West | Bristol |
| Thursday 2nd December (PM) | West Midlands | Birmingham |
| Friday 3rd December (AM) | East Midlands East Anglia |
Cambridge |
| Friday 3rd December (PM) | London South East |
London or Reading |
The cook-off will require students to prepare, cook and serve their original recipe to James Martin and our panel of experts for the ultimate taste test.
James Martin and the Mmmake it with Mince team are on hand throughout the cook-off to assist and advise the students.
Following a pep talk from James Martin the students will be allocated a cooking area and given one hour to prepare, cook and serve their dish.
They will be scored from 1 (poor) to 5 (outstanding) on the following elements.
- Cooking skills and kitchen etiquette
James is looking to see how the students manage their time, how they dice, stir, fry or bake and whether they are clean cooks or messy mixers - Dish Originality
James and the team are looking for a creative spin on an old classic or something entirely unique for the taste buds - Taste
This is the ultimate test. How does it taste? Have the students over cooked or undercooked certain elements? Are the flavours too dull or too strong? Do the flavours work well together? - Presentation
This isn't about attractive placemats and added extras although students are invited to bring along props if they choose to. It is about how the students present their meal - How they plate up. - Nutritional value
We place importance on a healthy and well balanced meal. We are looking to see that students have developed recipes based on nutritional advice from sources such as the Governments eat well plate.
The Winners Presentation
All the students are winners for making it through to the cook-offs so everyone will go home with a little something to commemorate the day.
Following judging, James Martin and the team will announce and congratulate the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place students who will be presented with their prizes and certificates.
The National Winner
The Mmmake it with Mince team are touring England for the very best in cooking talent. They will be selecting winners from the North East, Yorkshire & Humberside, North West, South West, West Midlands, East Midlands, East Anglia, London and South East.
Following the tour the student who scores the highest mark will be crowned the national champion and invited to London to spend the day with James Martin for a chance to go behind the scenes at Saturday Kitchen and to learn about working in the catering industry.
James Martin and a young chef
James Martin with one of the young chefs