Lisa Snowdon and Robert Walton MBE
The sixth annual UKH Restaurant Association Gala Dinner will take place on Tuesday the 28th November 2023, organised by World Young Chef Young Waiter, in association with UKHospitality and in partnership with title sponsor NEFT Vodka. The prestigious event, in aid of World YCYW, brings together leading hospitality figures for a special celebration dinner at The Savoy Hotel, in the heart of London.
President of the Restaurant Association & Chairman of Young Chef Young Waiter Robert Walton MBE will host the event alongside speakers, including Kate Nicholls CEO of UKHospitality. The Restaurant Association Award for Services to Hospitality 2023, designed and sponsored by Fabergé, will be presented to one esteemed individual. The event will raise money for the World Young Chef Young Waiter to provide education, training and support for young adults.
The evening will start with welcome drinks followed by dinner and the event will also feature entertainment and an Auction to raise funds for young individuals. Guests will indulge in a delicious 3-course meal accompanied by Terra Remota Wines, Champagne by Champagne PIAFF and Caviar by Kings London Caviar. Guests will also enjoy NEFT Vodka at the reception. We are also honoured to host Damian Flood, an accomplished singer and pianist, promising a mesmerizing performance. The celebrations will continue at Adam Handling’s EVE Bar in London for an unforgettable after-party.
The RA Gala Dinner is a highlight of the UK hospitality calendar as it celebrates hospitality and is a platform for reflection. This year over 250 esteemed guests will gather to celebrate the successes of World YCYW 2023 including Brian Turner CBE, Matt Abe, Adam Handling, Andy Downton, Simon King, Jack Croft, Sanjay Dwivedi, Jeff Galvin, Chris Galvin, Jack Croft, Galton Blackiston, Chris Tanner, James Tanner, Tom De Keyser, Adam Bateman, Adam Byatt, Roy Ner, Simon Attridge, John Williams MBE, Cyrus Todiwala OBE, Pervin Todiwala, Michael Kwan and Mario Perera
Partners and Sponsors include: NEFT Vodka, Great Campaign UK & Northern Ireland, UKHospitality, American Express, Champagne PIAFF, Terra Remota, Faberge, TheFork, Restaurant Associates, Wine&Earth.
Quotations:
Kate Nicholls UKHospitality Chief Executive said: “The Restaurant Association gala dinner is a fantastic occasion showcasing this vibrant part of hospitality and enables us to support brilliant initiatives like Young Chef Young Waiter. It’s critical that we recognise and celebrate the talent we have in hospitality, and I’m delighted to support this event once again.”
Sarah Faberge said: “Fabergé has a natural synergy with the hospitality industry in our pursuit of excellence, innovation and attention to detail. We are therefore once again delighted to sponsor an award for the Restaurant Association’s Gala dinner, and I look forward to celebrating these achievements at the Savoy on 28th November 2023”
Robert Walton MBE, Chairman of World Young Chef Young Waiter and President of the Restaurant Association said: “I am deeply grateful to be hosting our 6th UKH Restaurant Association Gala Dinner in support of World Young Chef Young Waiter, alongside our esteemed friends and partners in the hospitality industry. As the longest standing president of The Restaurant Association, the RA Gala holds a special place in my heart as it is a celebration of the remarkable achievements and talents that grace the hospitality industry. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the success of this year’s event and the World Young Chef Young Waiter competition. It is an honour for us to provide extraordinary opportunities to individuals aged 28 and under and to elevate this unique competition to a global stage. Your support enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young chefs, waiters, and mixologists worldwide. I am thrilled to welcome all of you and create unforgettable memories together at this spectacular event. Thank you for joining us on this inspiring journey and let us make this evening a truly memorable and joyous experience.”
Sean Valentine, Managing Director of World Young Chef Young Waiter said: “How wonderful to be back at the Savoy for the 6th Restaurant Association Gala dinner in support of the World Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist competition. The Evening promises to be exciting and dynamic with 20 leading chefs in attendance, our Heads and Tails for a chance to win the Chef’s table for 12 at the Dorchester and live music from pianist Damian Flood who has something for everyone. I look forward to seeing some familiar faces and making new friends at this most illustrious evening.”
Paul Robison’s, NEFT Vodka: This will be my third year attending the RA Gala with NEFT Vodka as a sponsor. It’s a fantastic event that every year grows and thrives to new heights. I’m really looking forward to supporting Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist at this year’s dinner, and hopefully many more in the future.
Patrick Hooykaas, Regional Managing Director, TheFork said: “TheFork is proud to sponsor the Restaurant Association’s Gala Dinner in support of the World Young Chef Young Waiter Education Foundation for the second year. It’s our commitment to celebrate culinary excellence, support the vibrant community of restaurateurs, and contribute to the growth and innovation of new chefs and waiters.”
Dale Agar, Co-founder & CEO, Wine&Earth said: “As sponsors for the past 5 years, Wine&Earth are delighted to partner the Restaurant Association Gala Dinner again in 2023. We look forward to jointly celebrating our magnificent hospitality industry and supporting this year’s worthy causes.”
Laura Head, Champagne PIAFF Business Development Manager said: “We’re thrilled to support this year’s RA Gala Dinner, bringing together top talents in the hospitality scene. This event also champions young individuals pursuing their culinary dreams through the World Young Chef and Young Waiter competition. As a fresh, modern brand and proud owners of the Scottish arm of the competition we believe that the showcased talent truly embodies the future of this industry. Champagne PIAFF looks forward to raising a glass and supporting this year’s wonderful cause”
About WYCYW
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. Young Chef Young Waiter, in partnership with Great Campaign UK and Northern Ireland and Culinary Institute of America, mission is to discover the best young talents in the industry. The competition is open to Young Chefs and waiters under the age of 28 from diverse backgrounds and YCYW ensures these young talents are equipped with relevant skills, current knowledge, and a network to help them succeed in the world of hospitality.
In 2022, the competition marked a significant milestone by expanding its reach to a global audience, with participants from seven countries striving for the title of World Young Chef Young Waiter Champion. Building on this success, the competition is set to return in 2023, 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.
Beyond celebrating the accomplishments and diversity of the hospitality industry, past winners of Young Chef Young Waiter have achieved remarkable success, with some becoming industry successes.
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.
For enquiries, images, & interview requests please contact kareena@ycywawards.com
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#RAGalaDinner
15th December 2023
