Competition rules and regulations 2026

Introduction

World Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist 2026 is organised and operated by the WorldYYY central team.

Young Chef Young Waiter Ltd registered office is: Tagus House, 9 Ocean Way, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom, SO14 3TJ

Registration number: 12166272

The overall purpose of WorldYYY:

• Promoting hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation

• The WorldYYY competition is a global competition open to all young professional Chefs, Waiters, and Mixologists who are 28 and under, from any background

• The competition runs throughout 2026, culminating in a global final in 2027 (for exact dates check individual country / territory pages)

  
  

These Terms & Conditions are published on the WorldYYY website and will be updated from time to time.

All participants are invited to carefully read the regulations:

By participating in the competition, participants declare that they understand and accept all the clauses contained herein.

1. Aim of the competition

Promoting Hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation. The opportunity for all Chefs, Waiters and Mixologist taking part to celebrate their talent, enhance their professional development and above all support their personal vision of the world of food and service, having a positive impact on our profession at large.

2. Participation period

The 2026 WorldYYY competition will run throughout the year in different countries, culminating in a global final in 2027 (for exact dates check individual country / territory pages)

All participants will need to register online to take part.

The online entries will be shortlisted from the online applications by an esteemed judging panel and the successful Finalists will then attend the one day live Final in each territory. Four chefs, four waiters, and four mixologists will be shortlisted to compete in each territory finals.

Important Note for Entrants:

The successful winning Chefs, Waiter, and Mixologists from each territory will be required to travel to and attend the World Young Chef Young Waiter Final in 2027. Please ensure you are available to attend.

3. Participation requirements – Please read carefully

Participation in this competition is exclusively open to Young Chefs, Waiters, and Mixologist that are 28 years old or under in 2027.

You must be in current employment in a hospitality establishment in the role of Chef, WaiterM or Mixologist and have been employed for a minimum of 3 years in the hospitality profession. [3 years refers to total minimum time required in profession, not time at a single establishment] (Not applicable to Cayman Islands).

All applications will be made online so all applicants will need to have access to the internet and be able to converse online.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country / territory they are applying for. Proof of the right to work must be provided.

All applicants will need to provide a copy of their passport as proof of age.

All applicants will need to submit a current CV as evidence of employment in hospitality.

All queries must be submitted via email to info@youngchefyoungwaiter.com

Judging prior to the live Final will be conducted online using the Judging Platform, specifically designed for this competition and will be username and password protected.

4. Live final

Please refer to each individual country / territory page for competition dates and times.

The World Finalists must ensure that they will be available to take part in the Final Competition in 2027.

Travel, accommodation, and meals will be organised and paid for.

Each Chef Finalist will be provided with the ingredients required to produce their dishes in the Competition that will be judged. The Waiter Finalists will be provided with the relevant equipment and items required to perform their tasks that will be judged. Mixologists Finalists will also be provided with ingredients and equipment.

5. Promotion plan

All WorldYYY Finalists will be promoted through the organiser’s PR, marketing, and social media channels and through media, sponsor and association partners to provide visibility throughout the hospitality profession. It is intended that the event be designed to give recognition to the vast talent that exists in our profession and to provide a platform for the successful candidates for the future. The competition is sponsored by UKHospitality and the Restaurant Association of Great Britain and World Young Chef Young Waiter.

6. Data Protection

The personal data of participants will be collected and used by the organiser, as well as suppliers and relevant parties involved in the management and organisation of this event, in compliance with the provision of the data protection policy of the organiser. This can be found on here https://youngchefyoungwaiter.com/privacy-policy/

By participating in the venture, participants are invited to provide their consent (optional) to receive additional promotional correspondence from the organiser, selected partners and for signing up to the organiser’s newsletter. By providing this optional consent, participants agree to receive emails and or correspondence regarding the organiser’s products and services.

7. General Clauses

These Terms and Conditions provide all the necessary information to take part in the competition. By taking part in the competition, participants accept all the clauses contained herein.

All personal expenses are the responsibility of the participant unless otherwise agreed between the participant and the organiser.

Participation in the competitions and the title of YYY are non-transferable and have no intrinsic financial value. The organiser shall not accept any responsibility for any damages or losses suffered by the participants as a result of their participation in the competition, without prejudice to the responsibility of the organiser in the event of death or damage suffered by the participants deriving from the negligence of the organiser.

Any decision made by the organiser regarding any aspect of the promotion shall be considered final and irrevocable.

The organiser shall not be held responsible for any delays or the impossibility to fulfil its obligation following an interference, action or omission, event, or circumstances beyond its reasonable control (eg: because of war, terrorism, a state of emergency or natural disaster).