Tenth North West Young Chef of the Year gets underway

Young chefs who are under 23 – lowered from the maximum age limit of 25 in previous years – are invited to take part in five county heats. The entrants are required to work in either Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire or Cumbria. Contenders will be asked to cook a three-course meal for two using North West, seasonal produce costing up to £25. The winner will not only be entered into National Young Chef of the Year 2012 for the chance to become a British star, but will also win a week stage at a top European restaurant and a set of professional knives. To enter North West Young Chef 2012, which is, this year, also sponsored by the Lakes Hospitality Association, The Staff Canteen, Oliver Harvey, Taste NW, Villeroy & Boch and Chroma Knives, call 01606 541490 or visit www.essentialcuisine.com. Competition chairman and judge, British Masterchef Brian Mellor, said: "2012 sees the competition celebrate its 10 year and hundreds of young chefs have become part of it to increase their skill, boost their careers and increase their profile. "Winning the competition means you automatically go through to the National Young Chef of the Year competition and to see one of our chefs from the region win would be absolutely fantastic." The North West Young Chef of the Year 2012 heats will take place on: Cumbria: 6th March at Kendal College Merseyside: 17th April at St Helen's College Greater Manchester: 24th April at Manchester College - Fielden Campus Cheshire: 26th April at South Cheshire College Lancashire: April (exact date TBC) at Blackpool and Fylde College