North West Young Chef of the Year competition open for entries

The 2015 North West Young Chef of the Year competition is now open for entries. The contest, sponsored by Cheshire-based Essential Cuisine and CHR Equipment, invites young people from across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Flintshire, and Cumbria to compete against each other to produce a three-course meal for two with an emphasis on local and seasonal produce.

The regional heats are to take place in March/April and the grand final is scheduled for the 7th May. Once crowned the North West Young Chef of the Year, the winner goes through to the semi-final of The Young National Chef of the Year.

For the past three years county heat winners have also been able to attend a masterclass with an acclaimed chef before the final, to hone their skills.

Last year’s finalists had a session with Aiden Byrne at Manchester House and also met three Michelin star chef Pierre Koffmann.

The judges of the competition include: Steven Doherty, Lisa Allen, Christopher Basten, Marcus Bean and Sean Kelly.

2014’s winner was Danny Young, a chef at Northcote Manor, who impressed judges with what they described as a “well researched” and “sublimely constructed” menu of local and seasonal produce.

Read our interview with last year's winner here

For more information and to apply visit http://www.essentialcuisine.com/north-west-young-chef-competition/