The finalists for the first ever Canadian edition of the globally recognized Young Chef Young Waiter competition have been announced ahead of the live final at Don Alfonso 1890 on Monday October 17th, 2022. The 6 finalists are comprised of 3 young chefs and 3 young waiters who were chosen by a stellar judging panel. The Young Chef Young Waiter competition has expanded to Canada for the first time this year and the judging panel includes hospitality icon Nick Di Donato, of the Liberty Entertainment Group, Rosanna Caira, editor and publisher of Kostuch Media’s Foodservice and Hospitality, as well as Michelin Chef Daniele Corona of Don Alfonso 1890 and Chef Jason Bangerter, Executive Chef of Langdon Hall. The finalists all submitted a video entry and questionnaire which was assessed anonymously by our panel of judges (any judges connected to an entrant, did not judge that specific entry).
Finalists for the Best Young Chef:
Haofeng (Tyler) Lin – Hilton Toronto
Brendan Tran – Richmond Station/Wynona
Karly Ready – Langdon Hall
Finalists for the Best Young Waiter:
Katherine Veilleux – Her Father’s Craft Ciderhouse and Kitchen
Paul Mckeand – Langdon Hall
Dunja Zdralic – Langdon Hall
About Young Chef Young Waiter
The Young Chef Young Waiter competition, established in 1979, was relaunched by hospitality experts The Nth Degree Global in 2019 in partnership with UKHospitality and the Restaurant Association. The competition promotes hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation. The competition is open to all young chefs and waiters from any background under the age of twenty-six. The aim of World Young Chef Young Waiter is simple: to uncover the very best young talent in our industry and help equip them with relevant skills, current knowledge and the network needed to succeed in the world of hospitality. Devised by respected professionals, the competition has a fresh modern approach that focuses on tasks and criteria that are challenging, educational and fun. World Young Chef Young Waiter showcases all aspects of hospitality. Inspiring, empowering and inclusive, most of all we celebrate the capabilities and diversity of our amazing industry. These are the hospitality leaders of the future. Many past winners have gone on to achieve huge success in hospitality and World YCYW proudly supports the future stars of kitchens and restaurants. Winners, finalists and judges have included some the industry’s great recognisable names to include – Mark Sargeant, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Marcus Wareing, Adam Handling, Simon King, John Torode, Annie and Germain Schwab, Jeremy King, Raymond Blanc OBE, Heston Blumenthal OBE, The Earl of Bradford, Lord Forte, Angela Hartnett MBE, Simon Girling, Johanna Wimmer and Fred Sirieix. Twitter @worldycyw | Instagram @worldycyw Facebook youngchefyoungwaiter | Linked In YCYW YouTube YCYW. Website – youngchefyoungwaiter.com
About Liberty Entertainment Group
For over three decades the Liberty Entertainment Group — led by Nick Di Donato — has redefined Toronto’s restaurant, nightlife and special event experience. As developers and operators of numerous landmark establishments, the company is recognized as one of the most successful and innovative in the industry. It continues to achieve success for its impressive roster of venues including Toronto’s premier special event facilities, Casa Loma and Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. Liberty Group is also responsible for the development of Toronto’s most prolific restaurants including BlueBlood Steakhouse, Don Alfonso 1890, Xango and three Cibo Wine Bar locations (King West, Yonge St and Yorkville), and the vibrant nightlife space, Arcane. With over 500,000 square feet of hospitality space, the company caters to a diverse clientele of upwards of 1.75 million people per year including A-list celebrities, sports personalities and industry leaders. Visit libertygroup.com and on social media @libertygroup #libertygroup.
13th October 2022
