The British Potato Council (BPC) has for the second year launched a competition to find the best potato dish in Britain in a bid to inspire chefs to include more potatoes on menus.

The move follows a BPC survey, which revealed that consumers want to see more potato-based choices on menus in pubs and restaurants.

The Great Potato Challenge 2007 is designed to encourage chefs to get creative with potatoes whilst demonstrating their understanding of the different varieties available.

It also provides an ideal platform for the BPC to educate caterers about potatoes

There are two categories for entry and each category winner receives £1,000 worth of holiday vouchers as well as the Great Potato Challenge Champion accolade.

The first category asks for a potato dish likely to appeal to vegetarians.

And for the first time this year, the BPC has introduced new category targeted asking budding chefs of the future - further education students studying for a catering degree or similar qualification - to create a potato-based starter that adds variety and interest to a pub or restaurant menu.

Marketing executive for the BPC Caroline Evans said: “We know that people enjoy potatoes when eating out, however, our own research has shown us that potato-based dishes are still under represented on pub and restaurant menus. The Great Potato Challenge is an ideal opportunity to educate chefs - both established and those in training - and get them thinking about the opportunities for recipe development as well as increasing their usage of potatoes.

“Foodservice is a growing sector, which has huge potential and the Great Potato Challenge allows us to successfully promote potatoes to this market as well as providing useful information and advice on varieties, storage and handling.”

Entry forms are available at www.potatoesforcaterers.co.uk

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