The company which served Turkey Twizzlers to thousands of school children across the country and was criticised by TV chef Jamie Oliver has launched a healthy eating competition.

Scolarest, which provides meals to 69 primary and secondary schools in Brighton and Hove through its council contract, wants school children to dream up a healthy dish as part of its Putting Fun Back into Food campaign.

The company came under fire from Jamie Oliver on his series Jamie's School Dinners for the lack of nutritious food being served up in schools. On the programme the company claimed it could only do its best on the money budgeted for school meals.

After handing in a petition of 271,000 names, the chef managed to secure an extra £280 million for school dinners upping the budget from 37p per meal to 50p in primary schools and 60p in secondary schools.

Pupils who come up with the best dishes will see them served at their own school while the top dishes will also go on to Scolarest's national secondary menu.

Mike Cleaver, Scolarest's senior area manager in Brighton, said: "We're looking for ideas for all types of dishes, from main meals and puddings to sandwiches and healthy snacks.

"All recipes submitted must meet the new food standards for meals. That means they must use fresh ingredients and we're particularly looking for dishes which use fruit, vegetables and salad. Recipes can't contain salt and should be made using healthy cooking methods.

"Events like this are all part of Scolarest's Putting Fun Back into Food campaign which encourages children and young people to eat well by inspiring their interest in good food and teaching them hands-on cooking skills."

All recipes entered will be judged and nutritionally analysed by Scolarest and pupils who get their dish on their school's menu will win a £15 music download voucher.

If a recipe is good enough to be served up nationally the winning pupil will be presented with an iPod Nano and the school will win a free Scolarest Putting Fun Back into Food live cookery event, such as a cooking competition or demonstration.

Brighton and Hove City Council recently extended its five-year partnership with Scolarest by two years in a deal expected to net the firm £4.4 million in sales.

The extension starts from August 2007 and will see Scolarest cook and serve 7,300 meals a day.

What do you think of school dinners across Sussex? Leave your comments below.