September 2024: The Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist Cayman Islands competition finals were held at the iconic Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. The three winners of the competition were announced during a special awards dinner and, attention now turns to the global stage, where the Caymanian champions will compete against the world’s best in the Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist World Finals in Singapore this November.
The winners of the Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist Cayman Islands competition are:
The champions of this year’s competition will proudly represent the Cayman Islands at the World Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist Finals in Singapore in November 2024. They will compete against winners from 11 other countries, they will showcase the exceptional talent nurtured in the Cayman Islands on a global stage.
The event’s success was also driven by an impressive panel of judges, each a luminary in the culinary and hospitality fields. The esteemed panel included:
Chef judges: Frederic Morineau, Keith Griffin, and Vidyadhara Shetty.
Waiter Judges: Misha Lewicki, Walter Fajette, Katharina Leshikar, Markus Mueri and Dylan O’Connor.
Mixologist Judge: Lizzie Bowes, Himanshi Jethi, and Rob Edwards.
The YYY Cayman Islands competition is a distinguished platform that celebrates the future of the culinary and hospitality industries. Open to Caymanians aged 28 and under, the competition highlights the vibrant local talent, offering young professionals a chance to showcase their skills and gain recognition on an international level.
This year, judges and finalists met on 2nd September for a “Welcome Day” at The Ritz-Carlton. Here, the finalists were grouped into their trios for the competition day, briefed on their tasks, and treated to a masterclass by Tortuga on Champagne and Flor De Cana White Rum. Later in the evening, a prestigious reception was hosted at H E The Governor of the Cayman Islands Residency, offering a unique opportunity for finalists and guests to network and celebrate the islands vibrant hospitality industry. The chef finalists created Caymanian-inspired canapés, while the mixologists crafted Cayman-style cocktails using Tortugas Flor De Cana White Rum for the guests.
The main event took place on September 3rd at The Ritz-Carlton, where the finalists showcased their skills and talents in front of the distinguished judges, culminating in the thrilling awards ceremony.
During the competition, finalists were presented with specific challenges designed to test their creativity and expertise. The mixologists faced the challenge of creating a signature cocktail using NEFT Vodka, highlighting the brand’s versatility and the competitors’ innovative flair. Meanwhile, the chefs were required to incorporate ingredients generously provided by Beacons Farms, including premium beef, Scotch bonnet peppers, mangoes, and seasoned chilies. The beef was exclusively used by the chef finalists, adding a rich, local flavour to their culinary creations.
We are grateful for the generous support of our esteemed sponsors and partners, The Cayman Islands Government, The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, Tortuga Rum Company, NEFT Vodka, Mise en Place, Grand Old House, Mykonos, Agua Hospitality Group, The Wharf, PDL Distributors, Culinary Institute of America, Cayman Cigar, Beacon Farms, and GREAT Campaign.
Quotations:
Robert Walton MBE Chairman of WorldYYY said: “I am so thrilled that the 2024 YYY Cayman Islands competition was a huge success. It was truly an honour to see YYY hosted in the Cayman Islands for its third year, highlighting the region’s vibrant culinary scene and commitment to excellence. A huge thank you to all our sponsors and partners who supported this initiative. Congratulations to the three winners who will go to Singapore for the World Finals.’
Lou Fox l Policy Adviser to HE The Governor I Cayman Islands said: ‘Cayman Islands has a wealth of skilled and creative young professionals within our world-famous hospitality industry. By taking part in YYY we seek to inspire and motivate young Caymanians to build successful careers. It is also a chance to celebrate our wonderful local produce and showcase the unique flavours of our Island on a global stage. I wish our finalists all the best in Singapore.’
Frederic Morineau, Culinary Director at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman said: “At the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company , we want to be sure that we are making a difference in the communities where we do business ! This is why we are very honour to help the Young Chef Young Waiter Organization to promote hospitality careers to our young Caymanians and a chance to travel the world and get exposed to the most skilled professionals.”
Katharina Leshikar, Operational Manager at Wineschool3 said: “At Wineschool3, we are deeply committed to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of hospitality professionals. Serving as a judge at the YYY competition was more than just an honor—it was a profoundly moving experience. Watching these incredible talents, knowing that we are a part of their journey, filled me with immense joy and pride. As a woman in the industry, seeing so many young women stepping forward with confidence and passion brought a special sense of fulfilment. It is moments like these that remind me why we do what we do—to light a spark that will burn brightly in the hearts of future leaders.”
Markus Mueri said: “The opportunity for Young Caymanians to represent their country in a global competition is an honor and a privilege”
Natalie Porter, Head of Marketing & Communications, Tortuga Rum Company said: “Congratulations to Brittany, Steff and Kody! We look forward to seeing them represent the Cayman Islands at the global finals in Singapore. We are especially proud to see the new Young Mixologist element integrated into the competition this year, which has brought a refreshing energy and showcased the talent within our community. Tortuga Rum Company is honored to be a part of this event, and we look forward to seeing these young talents thrive and continue to elevate the culinary and hospitality standards of the Cayman Islands.”
Scott Haugh, MNPL, Director, – “Cayman Cigar Company is proud to support YYY in the Cayman Islands, showcasing our finest local culinary stars and honoring their commitment to professional hospitality. As YYY expands to promote and embrace the art of hospitality throughout the world, Cayman Cigar Company is pleased to sponsor YYY and encourage its young professionals dedicated to elevating and enhancing the world of fine foods, artisan beverages and graceful, professional service.”
Sandy Beacon Farms “As a local provider of sustainably farmed fruits and vegetables, Beacon Farms Cayman is committed to promoting food security for our island people and enhancing the quality of crops and locally made farm products. The relationship of YYY Cayman Islands and Beacon Farms Cayman is mutually beneficial, and we are pleased to have our local bounty incorporated into the artisan offerings prepared and served by our young Caymanian culinary professionals. We are excited to continue our support.”
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About WorldYYY
Since its establishment in 1979, the Young Chef Young Waiter competition has continued to promote hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation. Today, with its new revitalised format Young Chef Young Waiter continues to honour the next culinary and service stars globally. World Young Chef Young Waiter, in partnership with Great Campaign UK and Northern Ireland and the Culinary Institute of America, mission to discover the best young talents in the industry. The competition is open to Young Chefs, waiters, and mixologists under the age of 28 from diverse backgrounds and WorldYYY ensures these young talents are equipped with relevant skills, current knowledge, and a network to help them succeed in the world of hospitality.
In 2023, the competition marked a significant milestone by expanding its reach to a global audience for its second year, with participants from nine countries striving for the title of World Young Chef Young Waiter Champion. Building on this success, the competition has returned in 2024, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the global hospitality industry and providing an expansive stage for the cultivation of creativity, education, and innovation that knows no geographical bounds, the event promises to surpass all previous iterations in size, quality, and sustainability.
Notes to editors:
The World Young Chef Young Waiter competition, established in 1979 in partnership with UKHospitality and the Restaurant Association. The competition promotes hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and an avocation. The competition is open to all young chefs and waiters from any background under the age of 28.
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Editors’ Note:
The GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign is a programme to drive economic growth across the nation by encouraging an international audience to visit, study and do business with the UK. It was set up in 2011 and promotes the best of the UK in 164 countries around the world, consistently generating a strong return on investment averaging 15.1. @greatbritain (Twitter) @greatcampaign (Instagram)
4th December 2024
