The contest, sponsored by Cheshire-based Essential Cuisine, invites young people from across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and Cumbria to compete against each other to produce a three-course meal for two with an emphasis on local and seasonal produce.

Regional heats are set to take place in April, with a grand final scheduled for June. Alongside the kudos of being crowned the North West Young Chef of the Year, the overall winner also goes through to the semi-final of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Young National Chef of the Year contest, competing against some of the best young chefs in the country.

For the last two years, county heat winners have also attended a masterclass with an acclaimed chef prior to the final as an opportunity to hone particular skills with the industry’s best. The 2013 finalists enjoyed a session with Chris Holland, head chef at Alderley Edge Hotel and a contestant on BBC2’s Great British Menu show.

Over the years, the contest has produced some spectacular results, overseen by a panel of regional judges including big names such as: Steven Doherty, Lisa Allen, Christopher Basten, Marcus Bean and Sean Kelly. The 2013’s winner, Daniel Akrigg from Simon Rogan’s Rogan & Company in Cartmel, Cumbria, wowed them with a keen sense of balance and flavour developed through his tutelage with the Rogan team.

The 19-year-old commis chef then went on to finish third at the final of the Young National Chef of the Year held at the Restaurant Show at London’s Earls Court in October.

For more information about the 2014 competition, call Lucy on 01606 541490. There is also a Facebook page and you can follow events on Twitter (@NWYoungChefComp).