The live final, on Wednesday 21 May, will see four contestants producing a three course meal, plated for four people, within three hours. Written applications need to be in by 16 April. Entrants need to submit full details of their menu (including an ingredients list) and an explanation of why they think they should be our Chef of the Future 2014.

For a full set of competition rules and details visit www.cordonvert.co.uk/chefofthefuture or call the Cordon Vert team on 0161 925 2000.

The judging panel to date consists of Alex Connell, Cordon Vert Principal Tutor, last year’s champion Gary Ashley.

Alex Connell, principal tutor at Cordon Vert, said: “We would like to challenge all chefs to take part in Chef of the Future 2014, Cordon Vert's annual vegetarian cookery contest to find the best chef in the UK. We are in our sixth year of the competition and have continued to see some unbelievable food being created by our finalists each time.

"We are looking forward to this year's contest especially as the final will take place during National Vegetarian Week 2014. Dishes should be presented to the highest standards, and should be able to hold their own for vegetarian and meat-eating audiences alike.”