Each young chef emerged victorious from hard fought regional stages held across the North West of England in March and April. The six will now go head to head in a final, held at Manchester College’s Fielden Campus on May 10th, creating three local and seasonal stand-out courses, in a bid to wow judges.

Nigel Crane, managing director of Essential Cuisine and North West Young Chef judge, said: "With stories like the chef shortage dominating headlines in recent times, we are proud to have yet again uncovered an outstanding crop of young talent – proof that the kitchens of the North West are alive and kicking with skill. Good luck to all of our young charges as they prepare for the final – I can’t wait to see them in action again."

The winner will receive £500 and automatically qualify for the semi-finals of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Young National Chef of the Year competition, where they will square off against the best young chefs from the rest of the country.

In the lead up to the final, the six finalists will also take part in an exclusive masterclass with celebrated chef, Aiden Byrne at his renowned Manchester House restaurant.

The finalists in full are:

• Lancashire Heat Winner - Liam Anderson, aged 19, from Freemasons at Wiswell
• Cumbria Heat Winner – Ryan Lee, aged 20, from Rothay Manor
• Cheshire Heat Winner – Krzysztof Borowiak, aged 22, from YU Alderley Edge
• Shropshire Heat Winner – Michael Burgess, aged 17, from Albright Hussey Manor Hotel
• Greater Manchester Winner – Steven Halligan, aged 22, from Mr Cooper’s House & Garden at the Midland Hotel
• Merseyside Winner – Daniela Tucci, aged 19, from The Art School Restaurant