Ashburtoncookeryschoolleeks10

A lockdown recipe competition has been launched to celebrate the versatility of the British Leek at the height of its season.

The British Leek Growers Association-run contestis open to everyone from chefs and students to home cooks and food bloggers and is seeking to find a sustainable recipe that minimises food waste and uses as much of the vegetable as possible.

The recipes will be judged by BLGA chairman Stewart Aspinall and naturopathic chef Julie Cleijne. The winner will receive a £100 voucher, a full day’s training or consultancy with Cleijne and a trip to a leek farm or financial equivalent.

Cleijne said: “Simply get creative with every part of the leek, creating recipes that either use the whole leek, or as much of the leek as possible – minimising waste. All recipes must include leeks as an intrinsic ingredient, and you can enter anything from a canapé, starter, side dish or main course to even a dessert recipe! It’s up to you.”

Entrants are tasked with detailing recipe ingredients and method and providing a photo or photos of their final dish.The winning recipe or recipes will be featured on the British Leeks website and social media channels.