Last chance to enter for Ramsay Scholar hopefuls

If you are a talented young chef between the ages of 18 and 25 on 1 July, and you fancy having a tilt at winning £5,000 and two stages in world-renowned kitchens, there is still time for you to try to become this year's Gordon Ramsay Scholar.

Closing date for entries is 21 August, after which paper judging will take place to select the top 24 entrants. These chefs will then go on to compete in four regional heats, to be staged in September and October.

Entrants must submit a three-course seasonal lunch menu, to include oysters as an ingredient in one or more of the courses. Recipe, preparation, cooking and presentation details must be included, in addition to 250 words outlining the chef's professional status.

The 24 chefs who progress to the regional cook-offs will be required to cook and serve four covers, featuring a main course and dessert from a mystery box of ingredients given to them 30 minutes before the competition starts.

For further details, call 01737 224324, e-mail ramsay.scholar@virgin.net, or visit www.ramsayscholar.com.