The Dutch Produce Association has launched a competition offering amateur and professional cooks, schools and colleges the chance to win up to £5,000 plus an expenses paid trip to The Netherlands.

The Chicory Challenge aims to draw attention to chicory's potential and inspire English cooks to create some great new chicory recipes.

A panel of judges will select three recipes from the entries submitted, picking their short list from the information provided by the competitors.

Then teams or individuals which submit the top three recipes will be invited to a 'cook off' final in The Netherlands on 21 and 22 November 2007.

In addition to the £5,000 top prize there is a second prize of £1,000 and a third prize of £500 which can be donated to any charity of the winner's choice - or to a local school or catering college. Entries must be received by Friday 12 October 2007.