North West Young Chefs gear up for the grand final

Six young chefs are ready to do battle as Essential Cuisine's North West Young Chef competition reaches its climax.

Each chef has been put through their paces in cook-offs over the past two months in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Flintshire.

The grand final will take place on 18 June at Manchester College, where the chefs will be charged with producing a three-course meal for two with an emphasis on local and seasonal produce.

Nigel Crane, managing director of Essential Cuisine and part of the judging team, said: "In 12 years of competition we have seen an unprecedented rise in standards and I'm delighted to say that each of them has helped raise the bar yet again, showing such talent and coolness under pressure for ones so young.

"I look forward to seeing them cook again in June where competition is sure to be fierce."

As county heat winners, the young chefs will also get to attend an exclusive master-class with chef Aiden Byrne at restaurant Manchester House.

The finalists
Lancashire: Daniel Young, 20, Northcote Manor, Trough of Bowland
Greater Manchester: Steven Halligan, 20, Room Restaurant, Manchester
Cheshire: Ben Costello, 20, the Chester Grosvenor, Chester
Cumbria: Sam Nash, 21, L'Enclume, Cartmel
Merseyside: Daniel Heffy, 20, the Arts School, Liverpool
Flintshire: Cara Maguire, 18, the Tavern, Mold