Global hospitality competition Young Chef Young Waiter is coming to Scotland in 2023. Designed to encourage young talent into the hospitality industry, YCYW champions both front and back of house roles and the talent and passion that goes into them, by facilitating access and learning opportunities for young chefs and waiters, with some of the industry’s most respected figures.
The inaugural YCYW Scotland is proudly sponsored by Champagne PIAFF, part of the Loch Lomond Group, and will take place at Gleneagles in Perthshire on Thursday, 12 October. A panel of expert judges including 1-Michelin Starred Chef-Owner Adam Handling, Simon Attridge, Executive Chef at Gleneagles, Daniel Baernreuther, Gleneagles General Manager, and Simon King of Igniting Hospitality will coach the young chefs and waiters through the process, providing valuable insights and guidance based on each of their impressive hospitality careers. The unique process means entrants will engage with Scotland’s premier industry experts and along the way gain key skills, as well as make new friends in the industry.
Adam Handling said: “This is Scotland’s first time in YCYW as a stand-alone nation and I couldn’t think of anywhere better to launch YCYW Scotland than the legendary Gleneagles. It’s an incredibly personal place for me as it’s where I first started my career, 20 years ago. Scotland always has fantastic chefs in any of the British culinary competitions I’ve seen or been a part of and, now we’ve given each of the nations in the UK their own stage at YCYW, it’s a great opportunity for more British people to showcase their cooking skills and really demonstrate to the world what’s so great about the food that’s coming out of this little island.”
The Scottish chef and waiter winners will then join YCYW finalists from England, Ireland, Wales, Cayman Islands, USA, Monaco, Singapore, and Macao, teaming up for their final competition in Monaco on Thursday, 23 and Friday, 24 November. The eight chefs and eight waiters will each design a winning menu and serve their national dishes to an array of guests from all corners of the hospitality world and internationally acclaimed judging panel, which in 2022 included Michelin-starred Head Chef Judge Adam Handling, Simon Ganache, Chef des events au Yacht Club de Monaco, Mark Sargeant, Winner of YCYW England 1996, Mario Perera, Executive Chef at The Dorchester & Michael Kwan, Executive Pastry Chef at The Dorchester. After the world finals, the winning chef and waiter duo will be awarded $10,000.
Laura Head of Champagne PIAFF said: “Champagne PIAFF, part of the Loch Lomond Group, is delighted to be on board as the Scottish Licence holder for Young Chef Young Waiter. Champagne PIAFF is a forward-thinking brand that understands the need to keep venues and events exciting and appealing to the next generation of consumers. The business is passionate about supporting the young talent who will be the faces of hospitality in years to come and really look forward to being part of their journey.”
Robert Walton MBE, World Young Chef Young Waiter Chairman said: “I am thrilled to bring Young Chef Young Waiter to Scotland this year and delighted to collaborate with our esteemed colleagues at Champagne PIAFF once again, with whom Young Chef Young Waiter shares a passion for excellence in hospitality. Scotland is responsible for some of the most talented chefs and waiters I know – like the incredible Adam Handling who will be our Head chef judge in Scotland in October. It is a pleasure to see the passion and creativity our young chefs and waiters bring to each and every competition, and I look forward to seeing what the Scottish YCYW contingent put forward later this year.”
Simon Attridge, Executive Chef at Gleneagles said: “We’re delighted to be the Host Venue partner for the first standalone Young Chef Young Waiter in Scotland. Scotland has a proud tradition of developing great chefs and waiters and we’re proud to see Young Chef Young Waiter Scotland at Gleneagles.
Our people have always been critical to making sure that we create exceptional experiences at Gleneagles, and we have always worked hard to help them grow and find fulfilling careers across hospitality. As an industry we need to continue to invest in young people, encouraging them into
hospitality and providing them with the coaching, support and training they need to thrive. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to the hotel, to meet the emerging young talent and to share industry opportunities with them all.”
Entries are now open for YCYW Scotland. The Closing date for final entries will be midnight on Monday, 4 September 2023. For more information about YCYW Scotland, please visit www.youngchefyoungwaiter.com/scotland/, and to enter the competition, please visit
www.youngchefyoungwaiter.awardsplatform.com/ .
About Young Chef Young Waiter
Promoting Hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation. World Young Chef Young Waiter is a global competition open to all young professional waiters and chefs from any background. Combining a 44-year heritage with a lively new format, 2019 saw the hugely exciting, highly successful return of YCYW. Expanding over the years 2022 saw our first global audience with 7 countries from around the world competing for the title of World Young Chef Young Waiter Champion. The competition will hit the global stage again in 2023 being bigger, better and, more sustainable than ever, supporting the global hospitality community and providing a platform for creativity, education and innovation that can be shared by all.
About Champagne PIAFF
Champagne PIAFF is the first house to have emerged in 50 years; elegant, playful, and crafted with the expertise passed down through five generations, our head wine maker Maxime Mansard produces a refreshing style. Perfectly blending the passion and knowledge of a time – honoured skill with our fresh outlook, embracing a combination of historic and modern world culture.
