Along with fellow judges including Plateau head chef Allan Pickett, Stockpot editor Sheila Eggleston, Mövenpick's new development chef Tim Futter and last year's competition winner pastry chef Sarah Frankland, Hunter will help narrow down entries to six successful finalists.

"Desserts are a fantastic opportunity for chefs to let their imaginations run wild," said Hunter.  "As 80% of restaurant orders continue to exclude dessert, I'm excited to be part of a project that will help put desserts back on the menu by showing their full creative potential."

"With the prestige that comes from winning a competition like this – not to mention the top prize of a luxury weekend for two to the home of Mövenpick Ice Cream in Switzerland – there's certainly a lot at stake for contestants and I'm looking forward to seeing an impressive level of creativity and skill."

Launched in partnership with the Craft Guild of Chefs, the competition closes for entries on 17 June with the final deadline for recipe submissions on 1 July.

The six finalists will show their skills in a live cook-off at Westminster Kingsway College in central London on 12 September.  Contestants will be judged on factors including innovative use of ingredients, flavour combination and contemporary presentation. To enter, visit www.moevenpick-icecreamcompetition.co.uk