The FINANCIAL -- Schools are being invited to compete for the opportunity to prepare a Diamond Jubilee menu for the Queen at Buckingham Palace, according to Caterer and Hotelkeeper.

To celebrate The Queen's 60 years on the throne, British Food Fortnight is running a competition for schools in which students will create a menu featuring recipes that showcase the best of British produce. The top four winning schools will be invited to Buckingham Palace in June to see their menus prepared by the royal chefs, with the students helping to serve their dishes at a Diamond Jubilee reception attended by the Queen.

The Duchess of Cornwall, who initiated the competition as a tribute to the Queen, launched the competition today at Nova Hreod secondary school in Swindon. The school is a regular participant in British Food Fortnight's school activities.

Cook for the Queen is open to 10- to 15-year-olds in all primary and secondary schools in the UK. Schools are asked to include both savoury and sweet ideas and dishes that use ingredients that strongly represent their region.

All the dishes need to be easily produced in the form of canapés that will be served at the reception, for example, mini toad in the holes, little Cornish pasties, and smoked haddock fishcakes. Traditional recipes with a royal connection - such as Duke of Cambridge tart, coronation chicken and queen of puddings - might also be considered.

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