THE search is on for Berkshire’s Best Young Chef 2016 Are you a budding young cook or do you know someone who is? East Berkshire College and The Observer have teamed up in a search to find talented young chefs.

With exclusive prizes on offer and a chance to cook for some of the UK’s top chefs, this competition is an opportunity to get your cooking skills noticed. The college's masterchef-style contest is open to anyone aged 12-19 living in Berkshire. Those individuals who make it through to the final will take part in a live cook-off at Langley College, which will be judged by experts including chefs from Tom Kerridge’s two Michelin star Hand & Flowers pub and award-winning pastry chef Will Torrent.

Now in its third year, the competition consists of two age categories, 12-15 and 16-19. As well as being crowned ‘Berkshire’s Best Young Chef 2016’,’ the winner in each category will get the chance to go behind-the-scenes at the prestigious Oakley Court Hotel near Windsor, where they will see how a professional kitchen runs and receive a masterclass from the hotel’s Head Chef.

After which, they will enjoy a complimentary three course meal in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant with their parents.

If that wasn’t enough, they will also win a collection of baking accessories (worth over £75) thanks to Sainsbury’s Uxbridge Road store.

In addition, the winner of the 12-15 age category will receive a signed copy of Will Torrent’s new book ‘Afternoon tea at Home’ and a 5kg bar of the finest Belgian chocolate from Callebaut. The winner of the 16-19 category will also receive a complimentary meal for them and their parents at the two Michelin star Hand & Flowers in Marlow and a signed cookbook courtesy of Tom Kerridge. Runners-up will each receive a signed celebrity cookbook.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is create your own dessert (if you are aged 12-15) or your own main course (if you are aged 16-19) using whatever ingredients you wish. Then email the college with details and a photograph of your dish. You will need to be able to make the dish from scratch within 90mins by yourself. The total cost of your ingredients should not exceed £20. Judges will be looking for creativity, presentation, flavours and cooking skills. Closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday 2nd March 2016.

To enter the competition, please email the following information to bestchef@eastberks.ac.uk : * Name of your dish * Recipe (how you made the dish) * List of ingredients (including quantities where possible) * Photo of your finished dish * Your full name * Date of Birth * Address (including postcode) * A contact telephone number The final of the competition will take place at the College’s new Hospitality & Catering Academy in Langley. From professional cookery to front of house service, the academy offers an array of full-time and part-time courses, including apprenticeships. For more details on hospitality and catering courses, visit www.eastberks.ac.uk Terms and conditions: Entrants must be aged between 12 and 19 years old on 15/03/16. Selected finalists will be required to make their dish in a live final on 15/03/16 at Langley College and take part in publicity. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. Judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash. Employees and current students (2015-16) of East Berkshire College cannot enter. Employees of Oakley Court Hotel and The Observer cannot enter. The organisers reserve the right to amend or cancel the competition. By entering this contest you agree to East Berkshire College contacting you with details of further promotions or courses in the future. The Observer T&Cs apply.