Chef Lee to help find Peterborough's best young food entrepreneurs

Could you be their first Youth Food Apprentice? Do you make a scrumptious soufflé? Can you tell apart a korma from a kumquat? Is your lasagne to die for?

If you dream of one day opening your own restaurant or bakery, YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough have an incredible opportunity for you.

The organisation is seeking budding young bakers, foodies, and chefs - aged 16-28 - to take part in their outstanding Food Apprentice Competition.

The YMCA’s Youth Food Apprentice Competition is part of a regional festival ‘Celebration of Youth Day’ (CYD) taking place in Peterborough City Centre, Cathedral Square, on Saturday, August 20, from 10:30am. Ten budding young cooks will be offered the chance to expand their knowledge of the food industry and work with Lee - head chef of Prévost in Priestgate in a Dragon’s Den meets MasterChef style competition.

The aspiring food entrepreneurs will work with Lee to each develop a mouth-watering recipe and business concept, which they will make and serve to the CYD festival crowd.

Not only that, but each cook will receive an in-depth insight into how to use their talents to create a successful business out of their love of food, by receiving free training in business planning and health and safety at a pre-competition workshop.

Developing the skills and ambition of young people is something both YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and Lee are very passionate about.

Peterborough Telegraph columnist Lee, who opened his new restaurant in April, said “I’m thrilled to be helping and very passionate about future food producers and entrepreneurs, really looking forward to tasting some great food and helping them to develop their skills to compete and inspire independent food business across the region.”

Rebecca Jackson, CYD Project Manager, said “This is a really exciting competition and huge opportunity for budding chefs and entrepreneurs.

“ We hope to see a wide variety of everything the young people of this city have to offer and are so proud to have this as part of this years’ Celebration of Youth Day event.”

The Food Apprentice Champion will be chosen by a panel of expert tasters, and through surveys collected from festival goers throughout the day. The winner will receive dinner for two at Prévost, a cash prize, and the opportunity to make their food business dream a reality through support and mentoring from Lee and a team of food industry experts.

The YMCA’s Food Apprentice competition is open to anyone aged 16-28 who is interested in making a living out of food. So if you think you could be the next Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal or Nigella Lawson email [email protected] with your name and age for an application form or go along to an informal drop in session at Prevost on Sunday, July 31, between 3pm and 5pm.

Deadline for applications is Friday, August 5.