The Young British Foodie Awards are calling out to all the innovative and, of course, young chefs to showcase their culinary skills and create a “food revolution” in Britain. The awards are meant to “celebrate the unsung foodie heroes in Britain.”

1) Who Can Apply?

The nationwide search is open to anyone who is passionate about food and drink. The contestants should believe in the spirit of these awards and should be original in their recipes. Right from the self-taught bakers, who work in their kitchen to the professional cooks, who cook for friends and families, the awards are for everybody as long as they fit into the eight categories into which the Awards are distributed. As Lily Jones, co-founder, Young British Foodie (YBF), puts it, “We encourage everyone who likes food to recognize themselves as a Young British Foodie.”

2) Categories

The YBF awards 2012 would be uncovering the pioneers in food and drink categories, so if you are a magician with coffee, or if you smoke a killer salmon, you can be part of this movement. For the next few weeks, till February 20, 2012 to be precise, the judges would hand pick the finest entrants in the eight categories on the basis of their innovative skills. The categories are as follows:-

1. Alcohol

The “Rising Star of Mixology” would be judged by legends like Tony Conigliaro and Nick Strangeway.

2. Streefood

If you are a smart cook of street food, you could be YBF’s next “Mobile Mover and Shaker” but only after being judged by chocolatier Petra Barran and meat magician Tom Adams.

3. Experiential

The “Best Food Experience Artist” will have to pass the tests thrown at him by top epicurean experimentalists like Sam Bompas, Harry Parr, and Alexa Perrin.

4. Baking

Daniel Stevens and Lily Vanilli would find the “Best Alchemist of the Oven” of Britain for the YBF Awards 2012.

5. Meat

“The Meat Personality” of the year would be found out by Yianni Papoutsis while the applicants would be from among butchers, charcutiers, and general meat enthusiasts.

6. Coffee

The next “Coffee King or Queen” would have to satisfy the august team of coffee king Gwilym Davies, celebrated Tim Styles, and Marco Arrigo.

7. Chefs

Along with Marina O’Loughlin, Nuno Mendes, and others would judge cheffing and select the “Most Irreverent Young Chef.”

8. Honorary YBF

To be judged by the founders, Lily Jones, Amy Thorne, and Chloe Scott-Moncrieff, this new category would cover everybody from bloggers, to tea people, and anybody with extraordinary skills in the kitchen.

3) Sundry Details

The applicants can file in their entries on the award website. Last date for filing entries is February 20, 2012. The second round would be held on March 8, 2012 while the award ceremony is scheduled for somewhere in mid-March, 2012.

Now that you know of the awards, isn’t it time you started getting out your recipe diary and start practicing? For news on similar awards held elsewhere, read the Timeout Food Awards 2011, which attempt to bring out the best in Indian hospitality.

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