Young Chef Young Waiter announces 2010 finalists

Following four regional heats​ around the country, a panel of judges chaired by Bruce Poole of Chez Bruce in London, whittled the 48 competitors down to just 16, who will now participate in a final held at Westminster Kingsway College on 20 October.

The winners of the chef heats were Chris Kenny from Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, and Tommy Fairhall from Galvin at Windows Restaurant at London Hilton on Park Lane.

The winners of the waiter rounds were Sam Ward from The Ritz and Ben Dantzic from Restaurant Andrew Fairie at Gleaneagles in Scotland.

Bob Walton, chairman of the competition, said that the standards this year were extremely high.

“Literally, only one or two marks separated many of the contestants.  We are very fortunate to have such talented young people working in the industry.”

The full list of finalists for the 2010 Young Chef Young Waiter competition is as follows:​

Young Chefs:​ 

Chris Kenny, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
Tommy Fairhall, Galvin at Windows Restaurant, London Hilton on Park Lane
Lahiru Jayasekara, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
Ryan Murphy, Turnberry Hotel, Ayrshire
Tom Parker, Northcote, Lancashire
Luke Fouracre, House of Commons, London
Mark Stinchcombe, Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
Michael Tweedie, Lucknam Park, Wiltshire

Young Waiters:​

Sam Ward, The Ritz, London
Ben Dantzic, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleaneagles, Perthsire
Jenny Mackiewicz, Balmoral Bar, Edinburgh
Max Smith, Northcote, Lancashire
Adam Willis, Box Tree, Ilkley
 Thomas Aragones, The Fat Duck, Bray
Julien Gardin, The Fat Duck, Bray
Alberto Tommasi, The Waterside Inn, Bray