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The competition has moved its age limit up to 25 in order to attract an even more diverse range of chefs across Greater Manchester, Lancaster, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and Shropshire.
The North West Chef of the Year challenges young chefs to produce a three-course meal for two featuring local and seasonal produce on a budget of £25.
The first semi-final will be held at Blackpool and Fylde College (25 march) and the second will be held at Warrington College (1 April).
Six chefs in total from the two semi-finals will advance to the final, which will be held on 13 May at Cheshire College South & West- Ellesmere Port Campus.
One young chef will win the converted title of North West Young Chef of the Year as well as £500 in cash and an Essential Cuisine product bundle worth £150. The winner will also be seeded into the semi-finals of the Young National Chef of the Year.
Brian Mellor, competition founder, said: “North West England is a hotbed of talent and we have been privileged to witness some of the very brightest young stars come through this competition, only to see them catapulted onto great things in its wake.
“With every passing year the levels of skill and innovation on show have been something to behold. We can’t wait to see what 2020 has to offer.”
Young chefs can enter today by visiting: https://www.essentialcuisine.com.