Countdown is on to find the TUCO - KNORR Chef of the Year 2010

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has joined forces with Unilever Foodsolutions and its KNORR brand, to provide a competition that enables higher education chefs to showcase their culinary talents by designing a menu that is attractive and appealing to the ever-demanding student population. Open to all TUCO member Universities and Colleges, the TUCO - KNORR Chef of the Year competition acknowledges and rewards the top chefs in the higher education sector. Russ Allen, TUCO national competitions chair, explained more about the competition: "The TUCO - KNORR Chef of the Year is a unique chance for individual chefs within the higher education sector to showcase their talents and compete to be named as the most gifted chef amongst their peers. We hope that as many chefs as possible will grasp this opportunity, and with the closing date not until 29th January, there are still a few weeks left to enter. "Our 2010 winner of the TUCO - KNORR Chef of the Year will need to demonstrate culinary skill and flair, and will be able to create food with flavour, texture, balance and style that really appeals to their target audience." Criteria and competition format To enter the TUCO - KNORR Chef of the Year 2010 competition, contestants must devise a menu including a soup course, a main course using a 1kg free-range chicken as the main ingredient, and a dessert. Fifteen finalists will be chosen from the paper judging stage, to compete in the final at Blackpool College on Monday 22nd March 2010. Each finalist will also attend the awards evening on Tuesday 23rd March, where the winner and two runners up will be announced and presented with their prizes consisting of: First prize: Meal for two at Simon Hulstone's The Elephant plus knife set and trophy Second prize: Knife set and trophy Third prize: Knife set and trophy Visit www.tucoblackpool.co.uk for entry forms. The closing date for entries is Friday 29th January 2010.