The search is on to find and reward young Norfolk people achieving great things in food in our region.

The Bernard Matthews Youth Awards celebrates the achievements of young people, and the awards are seeking entries for the newest category - the Food Champion award which is sponsored by the Eastern Daily Press.

The category is open to individuals and groups, and the winner could be anyone from a talented young chef, to a budding young gardener running their own allotment, to a group of young people who have created their own cookbook or are helping to promote a healthy diet.

Rob Mears, managing director of Bernard Matthews UK, said: 'In our first year of running the Food Champion category we are keen to highlight the best contributions young people make to our enormously influential food community. With the Norfolk Food and Drink Festival approaching we are extending the entry deadline for this category as we hope to see entrants inspired by cooking, growing, selling or promoting outstanding local produce.

'The Food Champion will be celebrated at our very special awards evening in October along with the other eight categories in the Bernard Matthews Youth Awards.'

The deadline has now passed for all of the other award categories, but there is still time to enter the Food Champion category. Entrants must be aged 11 to 18 and live in Norfolk or Suffolk. If nominating somebody else you must have their permission and, if under 18, the permission of their parent or guardian.

You can enter the food champion category by filling out a form at www.bmyouthawards.com, downloading a form from the website and sending it to Bernard Matthews Youth Awards, c/o Shorthose Russell Ltd, 12 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich, NR7 0TA.

For more visit www.bmyouthawards.com, follow the awards on Twitter at @BMYouthAwards or telephone 01603 706566.