Thirteen finalists announced for Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist England

Thirteen finalists for Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) England and Young Mixologist (YM) England have been announced.

The live final will be taking place at University College Birmingham and the awards ceremony will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham between 3 and 5 July.

Winners of the regional round will go forward to the international final in Monaco to compete against their counterparts from ten other YCYW countries on 23 and 24 November.

For the first time in the competition’s 44-year history, its remit has been extended to mixologists in the UK, USA and Singapore.

A panel of judges, including Adam Handling of Adam Handling Restaurant Group; Simon King of Igniting Hospitality; and Anna Sebastian of Anna Sebastian Hospitality Consulting whittled down the selection of video entries from competition participants to identify the finalists.

Young Chef Young Waiter is open to all chefs, waiters and mixologists working in England who are under 28 years old.

YCYW England is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia, Wine & Something, Champagne PIAFF and Amadeus, while YM of the Year is supported by Neft Vodka.

The finalists in each category for YCYW England and YM England 2023 are:

Chefs:

• Megan Drayson, Bowleys at The Plough
• Benjamin Mabley, Hartwell House Hotel & Spa
• Charlie Greatbanks, The Bird at Birtle
• Joshua Singer, Scott’s Richmond
• Sebastian Brooks, Csons Shrewsbury

Waiters:

• Cole Ford, Lympstone Manor Michael Caines Collection
• Jade Walker, The Ritz London
• Oscar Eve-Howard, The Hand and Flowers Marlow
• Joel Knotman, Coworth Park Ascot

Mixologists:

• Niamh Preedy, Northcote Hotel
• Charlie Harrison, The Savoy Grill
• Declan Wilkins, The Hand and Flower Marlow