Probably the best cookery competition in the world….

 

I couldn’t quite believe my eyes when I first read about the fantastic competition launched by Cully & Sully, the people behind the lovingly prepared ready meals.  Chef Factor is offering one very lucky person the opportunity of a lifetime by awarding the winner a place on the 12 Week Certificate Course at the world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery School.  This prize is worth a staggering €12,000 and will not only provide the winner with an invaluable education in food preparation and cooking skills but could potentially enable a move  in to a career in the food industry.  And the course isn’t all that’s on offer – believe it or not there is more – in addition to the 12 Week Certificate Course (starting in January 2011 or 2012, whichever you prefer) the winner of the competition will also receive accommodation whilst participating in the Course plus a set of professional knives, a uniform and a further two weeks with Cully & Sully gaining  experience in the business of food production – an invaluable opportunity.

What is brilliant about Chef Factor is that, unlike many cooking competitions where contestants must show a certain level of skill or proficiency in order to succeed, Cully & Sully are in fact looking for cooks of all levels to enter – they don’t expect anyone to produce restaurant standard food – they simply want  people to enjoy food and cooking and have a passion to learn – after all there is no point in doing the 12 Week Course if you are already an expert!  This really makes Chef Factor a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to change direction and learn how to cook!

Entry to the competition couldn’t be easier – take a picture of you and your speciality dish (which can be anything from a sandwich to a stew), make sure you include the words “Cully & Sully” in your pic, then log on to www.cheffactor.ie and fill out the online form, upload your picture and sit back and relax.  Entries must be in  by 22nd November and the public will be invited to vote for their favourites between 25th October and 25th November.  The two entrants with the most votes will go through to the finals and a third finalist will be picked by Cully & Sully.  The three finalists will then cook their chosen dish at Ballymaloe for Cully & Sully and special guest judges Darina Allen and Rachel Allen on 2nd December.

A Second Prize of a week in a cottage at Ballymaloe and a Third Prize of a weekend in Ballymaloe House are also on offer.

Go on… what are you waiting for. Opportunities like this don’t come along everyday.