After months of anticipation and preparation from Feste Group, we have the final results and winners for Young Chef Young Waiter Hong Kong 2023! The Hong Kong chapter of the competition took place on October 18th, 2023 at More Good (sponsored by Nordaq) where our chef and waiter finalists battled it out for the top spot and a chance to compete on the global stage at the World Finals.
At the end of the day after completing multiple challenges that culminated into serving a three-course lunch for a small group of VIP guests, the judges have chosen our winners.
The Chef Winner of YCYW Hong Kong is Ardy Ferguson from Belon.
The Waiter Winner of YCYW Hong Kong is Teddy Tso from The Ritz Carlton.
Our Chef Judges (Shane Osborn, Richard Ekkebus, Caleb Ng, and Yenn Wong) watched with careful eyes as the Chef Finalists had three hours to prep for service, taking the time to chat with each contestant about their menu and their process behind what they were cooking up.
Our Waiter Judges (Kristina Snaith-Lense, Lindsay Jang, and Chili Ma) evaluated our Waiter Contestants as they set up for service based on their chef partner’s menu and conducted interviews with each contestant among a list of other tasks, including a champagne pour challenge sponsored by G. H. Mumm.
Photographer: Samson Lam (@doubles.fotography)
VIP guests arrived for a spectacular three-course lunch and our finalists did not disappoint. Artistically crafted with some of the finest ingredients from Feather & Bone and Nomad Caviar, each menu was driven by the contestants’ own stories and memories. Paired with top-quality service to match, our waiter finalists took the best care of their guests, including two of our ambassadors, Jason Cohen and Gavin Yeung, as well as Alisa Chau representing our media partner, The Beat Asia.
Chef Winner Ardy Ferguson’s three-course lunch | Photographer: Samson Lam (@doubles.fotography)
Chef Runner Up Angus Wong’s three-course lunch | Photographer: Samson Lam (@doubles.fotography)
After much deliberation from our judges, our winners were announced at the awards ceremony later that evening. Surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues, we presented our winners, Ardy and Teddy, and our runner-ups, Chef Angus Wong of Amber and Waiter Donika Thapa of Mr & Mrs Fox, with their certificates and prizes, looking sharp in their uniforms provided by Chef Works. It was a night filled with celebration not only for the winners, but also for the community we brought together in the F&B and Hospitality to champion innovation, creativity, and the passion that continues to keep the industry alive.
Originally established in 1979 in the UK in partnership with UKHospitality and the UK Restaurant Association, YCYW promotes hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation. For more information, visit our website at www.youngchefyoungwaiter.com/hong-kong or our Instagram page @ycywhongkong.
The best of luck to Ardy and Teddy who will represent Hong Kong in the World Young Chef Young Waiter Finals this November 23rd-24th in Monaco!
FESTE GROUP
www.feste-group.com • @feste.group
Feste Group is the leading events company in Hong Kong with over 20 years of experience. Festë, meaning a party or celebration in Albanian, is an homage to our roots whilst this universal experience leaves us open to all the cultural and flavourful influences around us.
We’re dedicated to creating contemporary and sophisticated occasions that match the energy of this vibrant city, spreading joy and love in the best way we know how – through food!
MORE GOOD
www.moregoodhk.com • @moregoodhk
More Good aims to utilise their experience in the food and hospitality industry to nourish those in need with quality ingredients and thoughtful cooking.
They believe that nutrition and taste should be at the heart of every meal that is served out of their professional kitchen in Chai Wan. These are then directly distributed to beneficiaries in Chai Wan and their partner charities to be enjoyed free of charge.
More Good’s vision is to build a community of collaborators who can combine their knowledge and resources in F&B, Education and Philanthropy to bring positive impact.
NORDAQ
The Swedish solution for premium water. Founded in Stockholm in 2005, Nordaq harnesses patented technology to provide premium, sustainable end-to-end water solutions. We are still & sparkling tapped and capped on-site filtered water. Serve us chilled, ambient or hot.
We offer a more profitable, sustainable and tasteful alternative to ordinary bottled water for all businesses where both taste experience and environmental responsibility are at the core.
Find us around the world – from 5 star luxury hotels & resorts, to eco-friendly boutique B&B’s, award-winning restaurants, casinos and cruise ships. We are proud of our hospitality partners and their commitment to luxury and the environment.
For any questions or more information, please feel free to contact:
Natalie Fong
Feste Group Marketing Manager
natalie@feste-group.com
31st October 2023
