The 2012 Brakes Student Team Challenge is one of the industry's most prestigious competitions. It is targeted at teams of three full time student chefs studying hospitality or catering college courses, who will get the opportunity to develop 'real life' catering skills. The aim is to find stylish interpretations of traditional and/or modern dishes that reflect the British food culture, therefore teams are encouraged to use local and regional ingredients to give a real flavour of the country's home grown food. Because cost is important in today's economic climate, the required three course menu for four covers must cost no more than £10 per cover. Judges include Christopher Basten, Craft Guild vice chairman and executive chef at London Marriott County Hall Hotel, Craft Guild CEO Martin Bates, and Mark Irish, head of Brakes' development chefs, who will be looking for the best interpretation of British cuisine, use of regional ingredients, taste, presentation, teamwork, seasoning, culinary skills, working methods and the overall balance of the menu. Teams need to submit details of the menu, the ingredients and methodology used at each stage and the cost of each element by October 28 2011. By November 25 2011, shortlisted entrants will be invited to attend one of six heats in the following regions: Scotland, north, Midlands and East Anglia, London, Wales and south west, and south east, where they will cook and serve their menu in one hour 45 minutes. The six winning teams from the heats will take part in the live final in the Salon Culinaire International de Londres at Hotelympia running from February 26 to March 1 2012 at ExCeL, London. A host of prizes are up for grabs but the overall winning team's prize will include a five day work experience placement at the London Marriott County Hall Hotel, a three piece Global knife set and the coveted winner's trophy. • The closing date for entries is Friday, October 28 2011. For further information or to submit an online application, visit www.brakesstudentchef.co.uk