Eight chefs and eight waiters from have been picked to go through to the final of the 2008 Young Chef Young Waiter competition following regional finals earlier this month.
All 16 finalists have won a trip to Champagne Besserat de Bellafon in Epernay and will now battle it out for the chance to win first, second or third place.
Judges will test finalists’ skills and industry knowledge at the last round at Westminster Kingsway College on September 30 before giving out the prizes at the awards dinner at London’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower.
First prize is a cheque for £2,000 and a gastronomic trip to London, including a visit to The Restaurant Show, dinner at Chez Bruce and lunch at the Krug Room at The Dorchester.
Second prize runners up will receive £1,000 each as well as knives for the chef from the new Signature range, courtesy of Robert Welch Designs and fine wines for the waiter.
The third prize offers £500 each, plus chefs knives from the new Signature range, courtesy of Robert Welch Designs, and the fine wines selection for the waiter. All finalists are given and a subscription to Restaurant magazine.†
Now in its 24th year, YCYW, run by Restaurant Associates, recognises the very best of young British talent in restaurants and kitchens nationwide. All competitors must be under 25 to take part.
The finalists are:†
Darlington
Chefs:
Rose Green – The Balmoral Hotel
Steven Evans – Northcote Group
Waiters:
William Bonfield – The Boxtree Restaurant
Katie Watson – Gleneagles Hotel
Matthew Randall – Harvey Nicholls Manchester
Birmingham
Chefs:
Alejandro Jose Cancino – Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons
Ben Mullins – Lucknam Park Hotel
Chris Lovell – The Elephant
Waiters:
Thomas Mercier – The Vineyard at Stockcross
Mayta Meza – Opus Restaurant
Matthew Balman – Gidleigh Park
Thames Valley
Chefs:
Sean Enslin – Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Adam Smith – the Ritz
Tristin Farmer – Gordon Ramsay at Claridges
Waiters:
Barbara Riotti – The Goring
Marco Fusato – The Ritz