The new accolade is an additional award category to the Compass Chef of the Year competition which sees Compass chefs compete for the title of Junior and Senior Chef of the Year.

This new category has been introduced following the launch of Compass’ Know Your Food programme.

The Compass Chef of the Year competition will take place at the Restaurant Show at Earls Court in London on 10 October. Both Compass’ junior and senior chefs will have the opportunity to compete for a Know Your Food award and will be judged on four key criteria.

Compass Group UK & Ireland’s executive chef, Nick Vadis said: “The Know Your Food award reflects our ongoing commitment to providing clear information about what’s in the food we’re serving.  It will give our chefs a great opportunity to demonstrate how to produce delicious dishes which showcase the importance of provenance and seasonality and demonstrate how outstanding cuisine can form part of a balanced diet.

“Chefs will be using minimal salt and reduced fat and sugar and the judges will be looking at their ability to select brilliant seasonal ingredients and turn them into a great tasting, balanced meal.”