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, said: “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.”
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.
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.