Young chef competition call: ment'or

Are you, or do you know, a chef 22-27 interested in recognition and some bucks to go with it?

What used to be called the Bocuse d'Or Foundation -- a nonprofit aimed at preserving classic cuisine in America -- became the ment'or BKB Foundation (with board members Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud and Jérôme Bocuse, son of the more famous Paul), and it's now holding its first "ment'or Young Chef Competition Series."

Chefs apply between now and Sept. 4 to compete in one of four two-hour cooking contests, set for October and November in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Miami and New York (four chefs will compete in each city). Winners and second-place finishers in each city get three- and two-month stagiaires (essentially internships) in what the competition's press release calls "some of the nation's most well respected restaurants."

“We have so many excellent young cooks in this country who are eager to learn, grow, and advance their careers, as well as cook on a national stage,” Boulud says in the release. “This competition is a celebration of the younger generation of aspiring, talented chefs. It doesn’t matter if you’re a self-taught line cook, a culinary school graduate, a second-career cook or came from another country. Let the best chef win!”

Of course, diners are invited to go, watch and eat at the "host venues" (not announced yet).

For applications and more info: www.mentorbkb.org.