As well as the two heats already taking place at Kendal College (11 April) and Warrington College (19 April), organisers will now host another round at Warrington College in the afternoon of 19 April.

Open to chefs from Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and Shropshire, the winner and runner-up from each semi-final will be entered into the final on 23 May at South Cheshire College. As well as taking home the winning title, £500 cash and a weekend for two at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa (Cheshire), the ultimate winner will automatically seed into the national semi-finals.

Judge and chairman Brian Mellor said: “Last year’s result really hit home the weight of talent that this region is able to call upon, and I’m in no doubt that this year’s fantastic response, from so many aspiring young cooks, is in no small part down to that.

“As judges, you are always looking for that flash of inspiration from an entry and this year I’m proud to say that we have seen this from a great number of candidates.

“So much so that we thought it only right and fair to arrange a third cook off.”