The hunt will begin with the north Wales heat at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-on-Sea on Monday, January 12, where seven chefs will compete. The South Wales heat will then take place at Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw on Wednesday, January 14 where five chefs will compete.

Colin Gray, Culinary Association Wales president, said: “The Junior Chef of Wales contest provides the perfect platform for young chefs to demonstrate their skills and catch the eye of national team selectors. Previous winners have gone on to compete for Wales at all the major culinary competitions around the world.

“For example the Junior Chef of Wales winner in 2013, Chris Tull, captained the junior Culinary Team Wales at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg next month, where they won silver and bronze medals.”

Chefs must be at least 17-years-old, not older than 23 on February 1, 2015 and must be of Welsh descent or working or studying for a catering qualification in Wales.

The winners of each heat together with the two highest scoring runners up will qualify for the final to be held at Coleg Llandrillo on February 16, on the eve of the Welsh International Culinary Championships.

Organised every two years by the Culinary Association of Wales, the Junior Chef of Wales contest is sponsored by the Welsh Government to promote the Food and Drink Wales brand.

The chefs were asked to submit their own creative menu for a three-course dinner for four persons, using a selection of Welsh products. From the entry forms and menus, a panel of experienced judges selected the best entrants to compete in the regional finals where they will have three hours to cook their dishes.

Competing in the North Wales heat are: Arron Tye from Shared Olive, Hawarden, Mathew Morris from Bar Uno, Bangor University, Joshua Hughes from Quay Hotel, Deganwy, Sam Ricketts from Signatures Restaurant, Conwy, James Roberts from Ty Gwyn Hotel, Betws y Coed, Ryan Philipps from Castle Hotel, Conwy and Muhamad Aizat Mohd Radzuan from Orchid Pan Asian Restaurant, Aberystwyth.

The South Wales heat contestants are: Benjamin Cooke from Brains, Cardiff, Andrew Tabberner from Coast Restaurant, Saundersfoot, Ian McCormack and Wensley Macauly both from Coleg y Cymoedd and Vivienne Read from Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.