Young Chef of the Year Award is designed to recognise and celebrate the exceptional talent and potential of trainee or young Chefs who are either studying or in their early stages of their culinary careers. This category provides an opportunity for these aspiring chefs to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and ability to produce outstanding dishes under time pressure.

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Finalists in the Rising Culinary Stars category will be challenged to prepare a two-course meal using a given ingredient list. They will have a total of two hours to plan, prep, and cook their dishes, showcasing their ability to think on their feet and deliver exceptional results within a limited time frame.

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The judging process for this category will focus on several key criteria, including innovation, flavour profiles, presentation, technique, and the overall execution of the dishes.