The search begins for North West Young Chef of the Year 2010

Chefs need to be able to cook a three course meal for two using local North West produce costing up to £25. To enter the challenge, entrants must be under 25. Chefs must also work in either Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria or Cheshire. The Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire heats will be incorporated into the county's annual Tourist Board awards. As well as winning the coveted title, the overall champ will win a week long bursary in a top European restaurant. Competition chairman and judge, British Masterchef Brian Mellor, said they were looking for chefs who showed particular flair in the professional kitchen. "It doesn't matter whether you are a college trainee, pub or hotel chef, restaurant apprentice or canteen cook," he said. "You just need to work in the region and believe you have something special, some real promise. Head chefs can also enter their talented protégés into the race to become the hottest property in the North West. It could be the stepping stone to greater things and a wonderfully illustrious career." The 2009 competition, which attracted a record number of entries since 2002, culminated in a final in June, with 23-year-old Chris Rawlinson from Chorley, Lancashire, scooping the title. Rawlinson encourages young chefs to enter the contest: "It is such a fantastic opportunity to show what you can do and I can't wait for my stage abroad. I may run my own restaurant which got into the Michelin Guide this year, but to win North West Young Chef was something else, really wonderful." "It gives young chefs who might work under the radar the chance to stand up and say, 'I'm a chef in my own right', giving them the confidence to make their mark." If you have a young chef who deserves the chance to show what they can do or would like more information, call 0870 050 1133 or visit www.essentialcuisine.com and click on the North West Young Chef of the Year link.