TOP nosh is an important element in Herefordshire as a tourist attraction - and the search is on for the chefs of the future.

A culinary boost to the county is being given by the Hereford Times, which is sponsoring Young Chef of the Year as part of the Flavours of Herefordshire Awards Scheme.

There are two categories - for chefs aged between 18 and 27 who are working in the industry and for students aged between 16 and 21 in full-time education at Hereford Catering College.

Young chefs will be given 90 minutes to produce a main course using Herefordshire beef and two other local ingredients followed by a dessert with at least one ingredient from the county.

Entry forms are available from Mark Jones at Herefordshire Tourism, PO Box 4, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0XH, telephone 01432 260621, email mjones2Aherefordshire.gov.uk and the closing date is Friday, July 1.