Students invited to take part in Masterchef style challenge

The aim of the contest is to encourage people to save money and help the environment by not throwing away usable food. The event will see students pit against each other to see who can make the best use of leftovers. The two strong teams will be given ingredients typically found in student kitchens, and 45 minutes to turn them into a mouth watering dish. Student volunteers are now being asked to come forward to take part in the contest, held at the university's hotel and hospitality department at the Hollings Building in Fallowfield on Wednesday November 25. A panel of the city's leading chefs and food writers will then judge the results, and the cooks who came up with the best results will win prizes such as meals in top Manchester restaurants and places on cookery courses. University scientists will then test the food's nutritional value to find out whether meals made from leftovers are as good for you as ingredients that have just been bought. Councillor Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, said: "Many students now have a genuine interest in cooking top quality food, so we're inviting them to come along and show us what they can do. "Reducing the amount of food you throw away doesn't just stop it ending up on landfill sites and creating gases which harm the environment, it is also a brilliant way of saving money, something that is important to everyone at the moment." Students interested in taking part should call 0161 954 9000 or e-mail: recycling@manchester.gov.uk