Young Chef Young Waiter 2010 open for entries

The 2010 Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) competition is now open for entries from industry professionals under the age of 25.​

Now in its 26th year the competition, organised by the Restaurant Association, matches the skills of both kitchen and front-of-house staff against each other, rewarding the best entrants with stages in world-class restaurants and wine tours to Europe courtesy of the Savoy Education Trust.

Last year’s winners, chef Rose Greene from Cheltenham restaurant Le Champignon Sauvage and waiter Sarah Cooper from The Ledbury in London, won £2k each, plus an extra £1k donated by restaurant columnist Michael Winner, after cooking and serving a three-course meal for four people from a mystery basket of ingredients at the final at Westminster Kingsway College.

Bob Walton, chairman of the Restaurant Association, said the competition highlights the ‘skills and professionalism’ of young people working in the industry.

“It’s a showcase of talent in which the brightest and the best can display their knowledge and skills in a friendly competitive environment, judged by the industry’s finest professionals,” he said. “They represent a very bright future for the industry.”

Regional finals​

This year’s regional finals for chefs will be held at Darlington College on 8 September, and at Thames Valley University on 15 September. The waiters’ round will take place at Von Essen’s Seaham Hall in Co Durham on 9 September, and Hotel Verta in London on 16 September.

The national final will be held at Westminster Kingsway College on 20 October.

Entrants to this year’s competition must be aged 25 or under on 31 December 2010, and in full-time employment within the UK. For more information and to enter, visit www.bha.org.uk​. All entries must be received by 5 July.