Masterchef the Professionals seeks applications for 2014

Masterchef the Professionals is inviting aspiring chefs to apply for the next series to air later this year.

The BBC series, which has so far crowned seven winners, will return to the small screen for another bout of intense culinary competition.

Applicants must be aged 20 or over on 1 May 2014 and have at least two years' work experience as a chef in a professional kitchen, and/or have the necessary NVQ qualifications.

Last year's champion was Steven Edwards, head chef at the Camellia restaurant at Exclusive Hotels' South Lodge hotel in West Sussex.

After the final of the 2013 series was aired, he told Caterer and Hotelkeeper that winning the competition was "what dreams are made of".

He joined the ranks of previous winners Derek Johnstone, Steve Groves, Claire Lara, Ash Mair and joint winners Keri Moss and Anton Piotrowski.

The deadline for applications is 4 April. Visit www.masterchef.com