The first Young Chef Young Waiter Cayman Islands competition is set to pre-launch on 15 May at the WaterColours with the official launch on 17 May at the Wharf. It will be open to chefs and waiters who are local Caymanians who are under 26 years old from any background working in the hospitality industry.
The competition will focus on sustainability in hospitality plus support the education and development of home grown talent. Young Chef Young Waiter Cayman Islands is supported by The Watermark, Grand Old House and The Wharf, Tillies and Palm Heights Grand Cayman BWI, Ogier and the Cayman Island Government.
The Young Chef Young Waiter competition was established in 1979 in the UK and is organised by The Nth Degree Global in partnership with UKHospitality and the Restaurant Association, to promote hospitality as a career of choice, a profession and a vocation.
World Young Chef Young Waiter was launched in 2022 to extend the competition around the globe with a World Final scheduled for November 2022 in Monaco with guest of honour His Royal Highness Prince of Monaco
The Launch:
The official launch will be marked with a celebratory party at The Wharf on 17 May with honoured guests, partners and sponsors. The guest list will include World YCYW Chairman Robert Walton MBE, Managing Director Sean Valentine FIH and Michelin star chef and Head Chef Judge of YCYW England Adam Handling.
Young Chef Young Waiter Cayman Islands Competition:
• Entries open online for YCYW Cayman Islands at youngchefyoungwaiter.com on 17 May 2022 and will close on 17 August where a short-list will be selected.
• Entry is free for young chefs and young waiters who are 26 years old or under and from the Cayman Islands.
• Entrants can take part if they’re currently employed in the role of Chef or Waiter and have been employed for 3 years or more in the hospitality profession.
• The winners will be announced after taking part in a two-day live final in September
• The World Young Chef Young Waiter Final is scheduled for 16 November 2022.
Judges:
Judges include the most respected chefs and front of house staff in the Cayman Islands including Chef Jake Brodski of Tillies, Chef Takumi Murase of Yashinoki, Frederic Morineau Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Francesco Cappucci GM of Tillies, Chef Vidyadhara Shetty of Blue Cilantro, Walter Fajette of Agua Hospitality Group, Chrisitan Reiter Executive Chef of The Wharf Restaurant Grand Cayman and Luciano De Riso, Head of Operations and Wine Director for Grand Old House and The Wharf.
Quotes:
Chairman of World YCYW Robert Walton MBE said: “We are so excited to bring the Young Chef Young Waiter concept to the Cayman Islands. This is more than a competition, this is an opportunity to introduce young Caymanians to new ways of working in hospitality with sustainability and community being key to the Young Chef Young Waiter brand. The World YCYW Final in Monaco will be an opportunity for the talented winners to meet the very best in hospitality and compete against finalists from around the globe. We’re thrilled to have incredible judges and sponsors on board from the Cayman Islands to support this wonderful competition which has a proven track record in the UK for finding the next generation of hospitality stars. Our Head Chef Judge in the UK, Michelin star chef Adam Handling, is a former contestant and will be travelling to the Cayman Islands for the launch to meet the sponsors, judges and partners. We can’t wait to open for applications and wish everyone the best of luck in the process!”
About Young Chef Young Waiter:
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.
Many past winners have gone on to achieve huge success in hospitality and YCYW proudly supports the future stars in Britain’s kitchens and restaurants. Winners and judges have included some the industry’s great recognisable names to include – Mark Sargeant, Marcus Wareing, 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 and Fred Sirieix.
3rd May 2022
