Calling All Head Chefs!

Have a promising protégé destined for greatness?

Then what are you waiting for!

Do your promising junior a gastronomic favour and enter them in the race to become the hottest culinary property in the North West.

Organisers of North West Young Chef of the Year 2009 want to hear about 18-25 year olds with both the drive and brilliance to outshine other talented contenders in a county heat and go on to compete for the coveted regional title.

As well as seeing their name up in lights, the overall champ will win a week long bursary in a top European restaurant, a weekend for two at a luxury hotel and a set of Global knives.

Chefs need to be able to cook a three course meal for two using local North West produce costing up to £25. Crucially, they must possess the passion and flair to impress a scrupulous judging panel made up of regional masters of the trade.

Competition chairman and judge, British Masterchef Brian Mellor, said head chefs from across the hospitality industry owed it to the world to share their blossoming talent.

“North West Young Chef is open to everyone involved in the catering trade, whether a college trainee, pub or hotel chef, restaurant apprentice or canteen cook. Promising protégés just need drive and determination. 

What’s in it for them?
• increase their chances of achieving long term goals
• golden opportunity to demonstrate skills to a professional audience and get invaluable feedback
• fantastic opportunity  to meet and build relationships with peers
• experience the nerve wracking thrill of competing - an enormously rewarding experience

The Greater Manchester and Lancashire county heats have already taken place. However, if you work in Merseyside, Cumbria or Cheshire, you need to hurry and sign up your young chef for the chance to represent their county in February with each finalist winning a week’s work experience at one of the best restaurants in the North West.

The competition, sponsored by Essential Cuisine and North West Hospitality magazine, will climax in a dramatic live cook-off in front of regional producers, food writers, radio and newspaper media and top chefs in the Spring.

North West Young Chef 2008 Simon Salt is a shining example of where the competition can take your young chef. Now a senior chef de partie in a Michelin-starred kitchen, the 24-year-old is flying high.

“Competition is really healthy and to be able to benchmark yourself against your peers is absolutely invaluable,” he said. “The victory gave me the confidence to take my career to the next level and I’d recommend young chefs to go for it.”

Remaining county heats
• Merseyside - Monday, February 9 - Liverpool Community College
• Cumbria – Tuesday, February 17 - Kendal College
• Cheshire – Thursday, February 26 - South Trafford College, Altricham

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. Online entries must be received by Friday, January 16.