The deadlines for entering the Merseyside heat and the Cumbrian heat are January 30 and March 12 respectively. Contestants have to be aged between 18-25 and they will be tasked with cooking a three course meal for two using north west produce costing up to £25 that will be judged by a panel headed by British master chef Brian Mellor. The Merseyside cook off is being held at Wirral Met College on March 31 and the Cumbrian cook off at Kendal College on March 30. Winners of the cook offs will meet the other finalists in June. They are: Jamie Bridgett from Cheshire, Martin Hargreaves from Lancashire and Michael Tate from Manchester. As well as the title, the overall winner will win a week long bursary in a top European restaurant, a weekend for two at a luxury hotel and a set of Global knives. The competition, sponsored by stocks and sauces specialist Essential Cuisine, has been running for eight years. • For further details, visit www.essentialcuisine.com