If you are under 23 years old, passionate about food and can cook a 3 course meal for 2 people featuring local produce, then you really should be entering the North West Young Chef of the Year Competition.
“To anyone thinking about entering the competition, I would definitely encourage them to do so. The competition allows you to see where you're up to in terms of your skill set, whilst also being able to engage with chefs of a similar age. The competition encourages you to learn about local and seasonal produce around the North West which has been massively beneficial to my job.” 2016 Winner Daniela Tucci
www.essentialcuisine.com 01606 541 490
So what’s in it for you?
• Increase your chances of achieving your
long term goals
• The opportunity to demonstrate your skills to a professional audience and get valuable feedback
• The chance to meet and build relationships with your peer group
• The opportunity to gain valuable competition experience.
Prizes
All finalists will be invited to a masterclass with an acclaimed chef prior to May's final, the chance to hone particular skills with the industry’s best. The winner of the overall competition will become the North West Young Chef of the
Year, which is an important stepping stone to greater things. And as if that wasn’t enough, the winner will also win a £500 cash prize, a set of professional knives and a portable induction hob courtesy of CHR.
Automatic qualification into semi-final of YNCOTY 2017
The winner of North West Young Chef of the Year 2017 qualifies for a place in the Young National Chef Competition semi-final 2017. To qualify, entries must be under 23 at the time of the final in October 2017.
Hints and Tips
It is hugely important to understand why you are cooking your menu and spend some time looking at seasons and your
own region's local foods. The judges will want to hear about your knowledge of the subject not just your cooking ability.
During the competition, you WILL be asked where you have sourced your ingredients from. On the entry form, provide evidence of your local and seasonal produce. Remember - the paper judging stage will focus on this evidence. It is important to demonstrate your skills during the cook-off. The more skills you demonstrate on the day, the more points
the judges will be able to award. Don’t leave it to the last minute; be organised and proud of your application. Ask your mentors and colleagues for feedback.
The Journey
New for 2017
Instead of regional heats, there will be two semi-finals. The winner and runner up from each semi-final will go forward to the North West Young Chef Final in May 2017 at Manchester College. There will also be two “wild card” entries which will be chosen at the judges discretion.
• Warrington College - Wednesday 5th April
• Kendal College - Tuesday 11th April
(Closing date for all entries is 8th March)
How to enter
Visit www.essentialcuisine.com, click on the Foodservice image and then follow Cheflife.
Attention All North West Head Chefs!
Do you have a promising protégé you are keen to propel up the ladder of success?
Once again we are on the look out for the North West’s most promising young chefs and we need your support. Do your promising junior a favour and support their entry, whilst helping to develop your team at the same time.
Competitions Key to Mentoring Success
Industry awards such as the North West Young Chef of the Year Competition allow young chefs to work alongside their peers and build professional relationships whilst increasing their self confidence.
If you are a head chef or lecturer, this competition is the perfect opportunity to help promising protégés develop their confidence and skill base, bringing added value to their workplace.
Chef Patron of the Art School Restaurant Paul Askew said "Delighted that Daniela has become the first female winner in the fourteen year history of the competition, it's massively important for the industry, but more importantly for her and the Art School. It's fabulous to see someone of her age cook with such composure and such maturity but also with such a big smile on her face that shows how passionate she is about cooking”.
"Success is a journey, not a destination"
“We created the competition 15 years ago to connect young chefs with the artisan ingredients in the Region. Hundreds have used the competition to develop and showcase their skills, with many progressing through to the National Young
Chef of the Year final.” Brian Mellor, Chairman of Judges.
Terms & Conditions: 1. The competition is open to chefs who will be under 23 on 4th October 2017 (22 or under on this date), and who are currently working in hotels, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality establishments throughout the North West. 2. All menus must have high evidence of regional food produced in the North West. 3. All entrants must prepare a 3 course meal for 2 people at a total cost of £25. A full list of the rules and regulations can be found at www.essentialcuisine.com
www.essentialcuisine.com 01606 541 490
