The Salad OpeN

Introducing The Salad Open – our first ever public salad competition! Ever dreamed of seeing your own dish on a restaurant menu? This is your moment.

We’re inviting passionate food lovers (home cooks, trained chefs, and everyone in between) to create our next big menu item. The selected creation won’t just earn bragging rights! It will be featured on our menu for an entire season and win a £2,000 cash prize.

Selected competitors will also be part of an exclusive behind-the-scenes mini social series, documenting the journey from concept to final judging. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, personality, and creativity to a wide audience.

Please only apply if you’re confident you can commit to the competition schedule outlined below.

Have what it takes? Apply now and bring your ultimate salad creation to life.

Date: 3rd March 2026

Arrival Time: 8:30am 

Expected Finish Time: 3:30pm

Location: Waterman House Cookery School: 5-23 Hill St, Belfast, BT1 2LG

Guest List: Each contestant can invite up to 1 guest (who may assist them)

Schedule 

90 mins - Cook your signature dish. You have 1.5 hours from preparing to serving your dish. 

5 - 10 mins - Serve your dish to judges and give a short background to what you're presenting.

Judging Criteria

  • You will prepare one signature dish for the judges. The dish just meet the following;

    • Contain at least one protein source 

    • Contain at least two toppings

    • Contain a green / salad 

    • Contain at least one dressing or dip 

    • Contain a topping such as seed or nut etc  

    • Can contain one grain or carb (not mandatory)

  • Ingredients: Each guest is responsible for purchasing, and bringing all necessary ingredients for their dish to the competition day. 

  • Ingredients will be reimbursed up to £60 (with proof of receipt) after the event. 

  • All prep, marinades etc must be done at the event and can not be prepped prior to arrival. 

  • You are welcome to bring up to one person with you. They may assist.

  • Judging criteria include: menu selection, taste, appearance, presentation and judges Q&A. You must explain the ingredients and a rationale for their use.

  • Two salads will be prepared. One for the judges to eat, and one to look at when comparing all the entrants.

2026 Winner

  • £2000 cash

  • Name on the menu “created by” or similar (you decide!)

  • Short story card in-store screens

  • Featured on Seeds socials for the release

  • (Optional) Follow up day visit to our Development Kitchen to see how your dish is executed for real life service

Runner-up  

  • One runner up will receive the £500 cash prize.

Application

Please complete the short form below to apply for your place in The Salad Open. Your application must be submitted by 22nd February 2026 at 12 noon. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered. By participating in the The Salad Open, each contestant agrees to the Terms & Conditions.