The Cordon Vert School searches for future vegetarian chefs

The first stage of the 2010 Chef of the Future competition is to create a three course meal which is suitable for vegetarians. The finalists will then be expected to produce their full menu at a live cook off on Thursday 27 May at the Vegetarian Society headquarters in Cheshire during National Vegetarian Week. The closing date for entries is 23 April 2010. Application forms are available at www.nationalvegetarianweek.org The contest is open to vegetarian and non-vegetarian chefs alike. The winner of the award will receive a fully funded Cordon Vert Diploma scholarship (worth in excess of £1,500), a personalised chef's jacket, a year's membership to the Vegetarian Society and a hamper of products approved by the Vegetarian Society. Last year's winner Eddie Shepherd said: 'The Chef of the Future competition was an amazing experience for me. As a vegetarian chef it was great to be able to cook my own dishes along side other brilliant chefs, some with Michelin star experience, and not be prejudged because I choose to cook without meat. "Winning the chef of the future competition was one of the best things that's ever happened to me as a chef.Good luck to all the chefs entering this year."