A NEW food festival, the Spring Showcase, is setting out to find out whether the Forest's got young cooking talent.

The brand new festival, to be held at Harts Barn Craft Centre on May 29 and 30, is running a junior Forest chef competition, but get a wiggle on as entries need to be in by this Friday (May 20).

The Spring Showcase itself aims to mark the opening of the Harts Barn cookery school and has attracted in some familiar local faces and local flavours.

Alex Turner from the Severn and Wye Smokery will be giving cooking demonstrations, as will Whitecroft's ever-zesty publican, Mario Constantinides from the Miners Arms who'll be specialising in Greek dishes (now there's a surprise).

On Sunday Michelin-star chef James Sommerin from The Crown at Whitebrook will be judging the Junior Forest Chef competition as well as giving demonstrations and taking part in a question and answer session.

There will also be talks and demonstrations, including sausage making with native breeds, 'slow' bread making with Dede Liss, sugarcraft, plenty of food to savour and children's activities.

For a real flavour of the Forest, there will be farmers' market marquees showcasing local produce from within a 30 mile radius including honey from Hudnalls Apiary, St Briavels, ice creams from Hillbrooks, cider and beers, chocolates and cheeses. Mad about Pies from the Farmers Boy Inn, Longhope will be exhibiting for the first time.

•To gain a place to cook in the live Junior Forest Chef competition hopefuls should fill in an entry form describing the dish they would cook for James. It must contain one locally sourced or produced ingredient, cost no more than five pounds and be prepared and presented within one hour. Entry forms are at http://www.hartsbarncookeryschool.co.uk">www.hartsbarncookeryschool.co.uk or from 01452 830954. The closing date is May 20.