They will go hat-to-hat on Wednesday, at TAFE New England’s Tamworth campus in a cook-off challenge to score a finalist team spot in the 2016 Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award.

In a competition first, Australia’s longest running culinary competition will see the region’s best up-and-coming young chefs step up to the plate, going all out to deliver their best dishes on the day. 

Tamworth’s line-up in- cludes 20-year-old David Orman from the Longyard Hotel, 19-year-old Joshua Miles from the Quality Hotel Powerhouse, 20-year-old Jack Wells of the Calala Inn, 22-year-old Riahn Kliendienst from CH on Peel,  24-year-old John Maslen and 21-year-old Madeline Jurd, both from The Square Man Inn. 

Competing chef Mr Orman said he had always enjoyed cooking, even at a young age, when he started cooking for his family.

“I believe that this competition could kick start my future in the industry,” he said.

Fellow competitor Mr Wells said he was passionate about the hospitality industry. 

“This competition will give me the opportunity to show off my skills as an apprentice chef,” he said.

Armidale will serve up 21-year-old Callum Stewart and 20-year-old Ebony Platford from The White Bull Hotel, 19-year-old Allie Hobbs from the Armidale Servies, 24-year-old Nicole Nelson from Azka Restaurant, and 17-year-olds Savannah Giandomenico from The Alternate Root and Cooper Hague from the Moore Park Inn.

Ms Platford said she loved food and enjoyed experimenting with new flavours.

“One day I want to share my food with the world,” she said.

Competing chef Mr Hague said he and his teammate Ms Giandomenico had been working hard on designing a menu that they felt showcased their skills and techniques.

“We are both very keen young chefs,” he said.

Competing chef teams will have to create a two-course meal to impress the judging panel, to be scored on the presentation and overall taste of the main and dessert dishes they create. 

The winning team from the state regional heats wins a trip to the National Final in Melbourne in September.

, where they will cook-off in front of show attendees at Fine Food Australia.

This year’s national winning team wins what could be a career kick-starting culinary trip to North America.

The NSW Regional Finalist Team will be announced on Friday, May 27 at facebook.com/goldenchefs.