EXMOOR National Park Authority is looking for aspiring and passionate young cooks to enter the new Exmoor Young Chef Competition.

Ten finalists will be selected to cook a three-course meal showcasing local produce on competition day - Saturday, July 2 - at West Somerset College, Minehead. Finalists will be coached by professional chefs from Exmoor to help plan their menu.

Chefs Mollie Foster from Minehead Rotary Club and Werner Hartholt from Butlin’s are running the competition along with Exmoor National Park Authority.

Mollie said: “I feel passionately about supporting young people and inspiring them to enter a career in this exciting and fast-paced industry. There is a lot of talent out there and the coaching and prizes available to our winners will give them just the right inspiration and contacts to pursue their dreams.”

Butlin’s group development chef Werner Hartholt, who runs a new chef academy training 50 students a year, said: “Top local chefs are supporting us by offering advice and tips and we will be sharing their stories, and those of some young Exmoor chefs who are now climbing the ladder in top restaurants and even carving out their own businesses.

“With the abundance of fantastic local produce, award-winning restaurants and exciting training and upskilling opportunities available on Exmoor, we hope young people will be inspired to take part.”

The winner and runner-up will receive invaluable opportunities including a day’s work experience in Michelin-starred restaurant the Masons Arms at Knowstone and inspirational sessions within the professional kitchen at Butlin’s Minehead where thousands of meals are served every day.

Katrina Munro, from Exmoor National Park Authority, said: “Every year the national park welcomes over two million visitors and eating out and enjoying local food and drink is an important part of their experience.

“It’s estimated that tourism on Exmoor brings in almost £135 million to the rural economy and creates the equivalent of over 2,000 full-time jobs – there is huge potential for an exciting and varied career within Exmoor.”

Full details can be found at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/eat-exmoor