Entries are now open for North West Young Chef 2016

Entries are now open for North West Young Chef 2016 – Essential Cuisine’s search for the region’s finest young cooks, aged 23 or under.

The contest invites hungry young chefs from across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and, newly-added-for-2016, Shropshire, to do battle in a series of local cook-offs, producing a restaurant quality, three-course meal for two with an emphasis on the very best of local and seasonal produce.

Essential Cuisine Managing Director and NWYC judge, Nigel Crane, comments: “Nothing trumps the sheer thrill of competitive cookery and in North West Young Chef we have a competition like no other – a showcase to uncover and reward some of the area’s brightest young talent.

“In 2016 we welcome Shropshire into the mix – the judges are excited to see what lies in store from there – their inclusion should make for an even stronger competitive set. I urge any young chefs keen to sharpen their skills in the heat of the North West Young Chef spotlight to enter today, as this is where it could all begin for you.”

Regional heats are set to take place in March and April, and only the six finest candidates will go through to a grand final scheduled for 10th May.

Entrants should visit: http://www.essentialcuisine.com/north-west-young-chef-competition/enter-the-north-west-young-chef-competition/ and register their interest today.

Lancashire – 9th March 2016 – Preston College (closing date for entries 10th February)

Cumbria – 5th April 2016 – Kendal College (closing date for entries 8th March)

Cheshire – 7th April 2016 – South Cheshire College (closing date for entries 10th March)

Shropshire – 13th April 2016 – Shrewsbury College (closing date for entries 16th March)

Greater Manchester – 14th April 2016 – Manchester College, Wythenshawe Campus (closing date for entries 17th March)

Merseyside – 19th April 2016 – Wirral Met College (closing date for entries 22nd March)

Final -10th May 2016, Manchester College, Fielden Campus

As well as being crowned the North West Young Chef of the Year, the eventual winner will receive £500, a set of professional knives and a semi-final seed into the coveted Craft Guild of Chef’s Young National Chef of the Year Competition.

Prior to the final, regional heat winners will also get to attend a masterclass with an acclaimed chef. Last year six finalists were treated to a session with Mark Birchall, who splits his time as head chef between Manchester’s The French and the world-renowned L’Enclume, both owned by the mercurial Simon Rogan.