Essential Cuisine launches the search for the UK's Best Kitchen Teams

British stock producer Essential Cuisine has launched a competition for the Best Brigades in Britain to do battle in eight regions across the UK: London, the South East, the South West, the Midlands, the North East, the North West & Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Brigades simply need to enter online and leave a few details about them and their team. Entries will be judged on a number of key criteria by a very special panel including chef-patron of Liverpool's Hope Street Hotel, Paul Askew and executive chef at London's Park Lane Sheraton, Andrew Bennett MBE.

Eight finalists (one from each region) will then be required to create a simple 30-60 second video that perfectly sums up their kitchen philosophy. The videos will go to a public vote on Essential Cuisine's facebook page with the winning team scooping £1,000 in cash and an exclusive menu development masterclass.

Nigel Crane, managing director for Essential Cuisine, said: "Camaraderie, skill, commitment and a tireless work ethic; these are just some of the qualities that make good brigades great, and we want to uncover the best. It doesn't matter which sector you work in, tell us why your kitchen should be considered and you could be chosen to represent your region."

"For the video round, we want these kitchen teams to capture the spirit that keeps them ticking. Let's be under no illusion, we're not looking for the next Spielberg, more the characters, camaraderie and the cooking skill. Regional pride is at stake, I urge kitchens with serious chemistry and the will to win to get involved."