Finalists announced for Young Chef Young Waiter 2022

Sixteen finalists for the Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) UK England competition have been announced, three of whom are returning from 2021.

 

The competition, relaunched in 2019 by the Nth Degree Global, in collaboration with UKHospitality and the Restaurant Association, is open to all young chefs and waiters under the age of 26.

 

Finalists submit a video entry and questionnaire to be chosen by the YCYW England head chef judge Adam Handling and YCYW England head waiter judge Simon King, alongside Jason Atherton, Clare Smyth, Emily Roux, Simon Helier, Andy Downton, Johanna Wimmer, Anne Lomas and Craig Hancox.

 

The live final is due to take place at University College Birmingham, while the awards ceremony is to be held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on 18-19 July.

 

Winners from the England heats will participate in the world YCYW final in Monaco on 15-16 November, where they will design and serve their menu to a judging panel led by Jason Atherton.

 

Finalists for Best Young Chef of the Year

 

• Kenny Markham, the Four Pears Pub & Restaurant
• Miltan Masha, the Monarch Theatre, London
• Billy Furness, The Orgia, Falmouth
• Harrison Holmes, Frog by Adam Handling, London
• Josh Singer, Scotts, London
• Keaton Cooper, The Angel at Hetton (soon to be Adam Reid at the French), Skipton
• Shane Whitaker, Assiette Catering
• Jason Ramplin, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, New MIlton

 

Finalists for Best Young Waiter of the Year

 

• Giacomo Monti, The Ritz London
• Elisa Doisneau, Kitchen Table, London
• Harry Burgess, Midsummer House, Cambridge
• Dylan Ramsey, the Ivy, Birmingham
• Daniel Bennett, St John Restaurant, London
• Miranda Noime, The Vineyard Hotel & Spa, Newbury
• Laetitia Decure, the Dorchester, London
• Alex Churcher-Steele, Da Terra, London

 

Robert Walton MBE, chairman of World Young Chef Young Waiter, said: “After the last two challenging years, it is wonderful to see so many entrants from leading hospitality venues around England. I am very much looking forward to the world final in November, bringing together all our finalists from around the globe.”

 

Adam Handling, World Young Chef Young Waiter head chef judge, added: “With sustainability at the heart of my ethos, it really is about investing in the future generation and making the future of this industry an exciting place to be. It is a real honour to be involved in a young person’s competition, to help mentor them, progress them and give them a spotlight to shine.”

 

The event supports the Springboard Charity’s FutureChef and the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Adopt a School scheme and is backed by a number of brands including Arla Pro, Thermomix, Dojo, NEC Group, the Wine Guild, the London Essence Co, Aqua Libra and Cookaway.

 

Last year’s winners were Connor Blades of Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling at Carbis Bay, Cornwall, who took the Young Chef title, and Sophie Heyer of the Promenade at the Dorchester, London, who scooped the Young Waiter award.