As with last year, the winners of young chef competitions from the British Culinary Federation, the Academy of Culinary Arts Awards of Excellence, World Skills UK and the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards will automatically get a place in the final.
The remaining four places will go to the winners of two semi-finals to be held at Sheffield College on 10 June and Le Cordon Bleu in London on 25 June. Over 20 young chefs from industry-wide competitions will be invited to compete at these events.
The finals will also take place at Le Cordon Bleu in London on 25 June, and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony following The Restaurant Show on 7 October
This year's winner of the Young National Chef of the Year competition will receive a package of prizes, including the chance to take part in study trips.
David Mulcahy, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “The standard of last year’s competition was fantastic and the judges were blown away by the skills demonstrated by the finalists. It’s inspiring to see these youngsters competing at this level and I can't wait to see this year's talent."
The National Young Chef of the Year competition is being sponsored by Knorr.