Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year Award goes national

• The Good Food Guide goes national
• Young Chef of the Year winners give advice to their younger selves

Calling young chefs from all corners of Australia. The Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year Award judges want to hear from you.

Chefs from around Australia under the age of 30 ready to reshape the nation's culinary landscape can enter the contest for a chance to join some of the greatest chefs this country has produced.

The marriage of the Young Chef of the Year awards in The Age, Brisbane Times and Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guides will give up-and-coming chefs a stronger platform to be heard and recognised.

Along with the chance to take home the first Josephine Pignolet national title, the award winner will receive a cash prize of up to $20,000, a return overseas flight, assistance with placement at an overseas restaurant, and a set of Shun knives valued at $3000, thanks to the hard work of chief judge Damien Pignolet and the generosity of the NSW food scene.

To enter, nominees must submit an essay of up to 500 words outlining their food and cooking philosophy. The Good Food Guide will fly successful finalists to Sydney for an interview.

The Good Food Guide Awards, presented by Citi and Vittoria, will take place this year.

Award applicants must be Australian permanent residents aged 30 years or under on August 31, 2017. They must send their essay, along with their CV and a copy of their current passport or driver licence showing their date of birth to goodfoodguide@fairfaxmedia.com.au by June 1, 2017. Applicants cannot be a head chef or an owner of a food business.