Hospitality Stars Marcus Youn, Regina Gutierrez and Mitchell Coriell Advance to Monaco for World YCYW Finals
(Napa, California – August 23, 2023): SAVOR, the culinary division of the world’s leading producer of live-event experiences ASM Global, has announced that Marcus Youn, chef from Knife Pleat, Regina Gutierrez, waiter from The French Laundry and Mitchell Coriell, mixologist from Soho House – Malibu, have been crowned as the winners of the American round of the renowned World Young Chef Young Waiter (WYCYW) competition.
All three winners will go on to compete in the World Young Chef Young Waiter finals on November 23rd and 24th at the Lycée Rainier III in Monaco to showcase their abilities to world-class chefs, hospitality experts, and mixologists.
The finals of Young Chef Young Waiter USA took place on August 21, 2023, at the prestigious The Culinary Institute of America at Copia (CIA) in Napa, California. Each of the 11 talented young hospitality stars at the finals submitted a video entry to YCYW USA, which was then whittled down by a panel of expert judges, including Roland Passot, propriétaire and chief culinary officer; Adam Busby, Certified Master Chef and general manager of CIA in St. Helena; and more.
These industry veterans also led the in-person judging at the CIA at Copia, where finalists were assessed on creativity, innovation, attention to detail, and technical ability, over an exciting one-day live finale. The USA winners were chosen from a pool of finalists who represented some of the country’s finest establishments, including Knife Pleat, The Surf Club, The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro, Ad Hoc & Addendum and more.
“We are so proud to finally be able to crown the winners of YCYW USA,” said Shaun Beard, SAVOR’s senior vice president of food and beverage. “These young chefs, waiters and mixologists are beyond talented and watching them show off their skills and excel in this competition was so exciting for everyone involved. We can’t wait to see them advance to the finals in Monaco and are confident they’ll bring home the win for the U.S.”
Now in its 44th year, World Young Chef Young Waiter is the premier competition promoting hospitality as a career choice globally, aimed at finding the world’s most skilled chefs, waiters and waitresses under the age of 28. WYCYW aims to highlight the remarkable talent of the finest young professionals building their careers in the industry, while championing the skill and passion that hospitality professionals bring to their work.
About SAVOR
SAVOR is the culinary division of ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences, which spans five continents and more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centres, and performing arts venues. The team at SAVOR provides top-notch experiences at every event, from the food preparation to the beverage offerings, whether for intimate VIP experiences or banquets with over 20,000 guests. Besides great, authentic chef-driven food, the core elements of SAVOR’s food vision include partnerships with local growers, producers and community members; a commitment to using antibiotic-free meats and poultry; and dedication to minimising impact on the environment through robust sustainability, recycling and composting programs. For more information, please visit savorasmglobal.com.
25th September 2023
