Chef lecturers have less than two months to enter the prestigious Country Range Student Chef Challenge.

The closing date for entries is November 28 and, this year, the teams of three students need to develop a three-course, three-cover menu around the theme ‘Around the World in Three Spices’.

Following the paper judging, live regional heats will take place between January 22 and February 8, with the successful 10 teams making it through the Live Grand Final at Hotelympia – the UK’s largest foodservice and hospitality event – on March 7.

In addition to taking home the much-coveted title, the three students within the victorious team will also win a bespoke set of three essential chefs knives by chef knife specialists Flint & Flame, and a trip to the 2018 Universal Food Festival, Westlands in September 2018 guided throughout the day by various Craft Guild of Chefs leading chef and ambassadors. This trip will include one night’s accommodation and dinner at Michelin starred restaurant Simpsons in Kenilworth. For the full Challenge criteria and to enter online visit www.countryrangestudentchef.co.uk.

“The Country Range Student Chef Challenge is an opportunity to showcase what you can do. It differs from other competitions in that it’s kitchen-led whereas a lot of competitions are ‘cook and serve’ with a front of house element. The key to success is reading the schedule and understanding the brief, and coming up with a menu that matches the brief and suits the students’ capabilities.” – Ian Jaundoo, executive chef, City of Liverpool College