Young Chef Young Waiter, which promotes hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation, returns for 2021. Established in 1979, the competition was relaunched in 2019 by The Nth Degree Global in partnership with UKHospitality and the Restaurant Association.
Entry for Young Chef Young Waiter is open from Tuesday 22 June.
We are thrilled to announce that our new partnership with the Department for International Trade, takes Young Chef Young Waiter 2021 to a global audience this year, making it more exciting than ever for our competitors.
The 20 UK semi-finalists selected by our expert judges will compete at the Competition Finals in Dubai:*
Monday 15 November: Semi Final: 10 Chefs and 10 Waiters
Tuesday 16 November: Final: 5 Chefs and 5 Waiters
Tuesday 16 November: Winners will be announced on the stunning UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in the UAE on the evening.
The competition is open to young chefs and waiters under the age of 26 and includes those who may be temporarily unable to work or been furloughed from their present roles due to Covid-19.
*Important Note for Entrants: It is essential that at the point of entering YCYW online, you ensure that you will be available to take part in the Final Competition in Dubai: including outbound travel to the UAE on Sunday 14 November and inbound travel to the UK on Wednesday 17 November.
They participated in the live YCYW United Kingdom and China & South East Asia competitions at 4 London venues on 25, 26 and 27 May 2021.
All 25 Finalists took part in a range of tasks devised by our expert judging panel which includes UK Head chef judge, Theo Randall UK Head waiter judge, Simon King, C&SEA Chair of Judges, Ching He Huang and C&SEA Head waiter judge, Andy Downton
2020 FINALS
The exciting Young Chef Young Waiter 2020 Competition Finals took place in London in 4 locations over 3 days in May 2021. The events had been rescheduled from late 2020 due to the series of UK lockdowns and were run in line with government guidelines.
The Finals: Dates and Venues:
Tuesday 25 May:
Wednesday 26 May:
Thursday 27 May:
Theo Randall
Head Judge - Chef
Simon King
Head Judge - Waiter
Our inspirational judging panel for 2021 is made up of Claude Bosi, Emily Roux, Jeff Galvin, Clare Smyth MBE, Andy Downton, Johanna Wimmer and other big names in hospitality
See all judges
Finding the best
Across the UK
The fabulous festivities will allow our prestigious guests from the world of hospitality to commend the Finalists and congratulate the Winners. An unforgettable night of celebration, recognition and fun!
Mercedes-Benz
The vehicle of choice for hospitality
2020 Sponsor and Partners
First prize for both Chef and Waiter:
Mercedes-Benz London will provide a Mercedes Benz A Class Car for one year including insurance
EVA Air will provide a pair of Premium Economy return tickets (London to Asia)
Wynn will provide a week’s work experience at the Wynn Hotel in Macao including accommodation.
Their Michelin-starred restaurants include:
Second prize for both Chef and Waiter:
Frerejean Frères Champagne will provide an expenses-paid overnight stay in their Maison and winery located in the Grand Cru village of Avize, Champagne, where they will be hosted by Mr Frerejean-Taittinger.
Other prizes include:
Winners and judges have included some the industry’s great recognisable names– Theo Randall, Mark Sargeant, Marcus Wareing, Simon King, John Torode, Anne and Jamain Swarb, Jeremy King, Raymond Blanc OBE, Heston Blumenthal OBE, The Earl of Bradford and Lord Forte.
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