Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc has lent his support to the annual culinary contest, which aims to find and encourage chefs with a passion for local ingredients and a flair for creating delicious dishes.

Now in its fifth successful year and organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the contest has three categories and aims to find the best professional, amateur and junior chefs.

Top prize for the best amateur chef will be the chance to spend a day cooking at Michelin-starred Leeds restaurant Brasserie Blanc alongside one of Raymond Blanc’s trained chefs.

Other prizes include a day at the prestigious Betty’s Cookery School in Harrogate for the junior winner, and a cash prize and commemorative certificate for the best professional chef.

For the 2007 Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition amateur winner, Tim Cottrill, the past 12 months have been amongst the most exciting of his life.

After winning the contest the 19-year-old, who lives in Darley, Harrogate, has appeared across the region at prestigious cookery events, including the Great Yorkshire Show, and has just landed his dream job as commis chef at Rudding Park Hotel’s Clocktower Restaurant.

He said: “The Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition has opened so many doors for me – it has been a great start to my career. I’ve always wanted to become a chef and winning the contest gave me the motivation I needed. It has led to the wonderful experience of cooking in a professional kitchen.”

l Entry to the competition is free and open to all who either live or work in Yorkshire. See the Society’s website www.greatyorkshirecookerycompetition.co.uk for competition details or call 01423 546218.

The deadline for entries is 1 December 2008 with the winners of the three sections announced early next year.