Team England and Team Wales take bronze at World Young Chef, Young Waiter 2023 competition

Representing England were chef Benjamin Mabley from Hartwell House Hotel and Spa in Aylesbury, and waiter Jade Walker from The Frog in London, with chef Sam Everton from Coleg Ceredigion and waiter Carys Webster from Grove of Narbeth from Team Wales.

Held last week at the Lycée Rainier lll in Monaco, the 2023 competition involved nine chefs, nine waiters and four mixologists from England, Wales, Singapore, Ireland, the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Monaco, the US and Scotland and was won by Team Singapore, with Team USA named as runners up.

Chefs faced three tasks for the competition - making a tarte tatin and custard dish; creating a three-course menu; and preparing six plates for judges and VIP lunch guests.

Waiters navigated five tasks, including section set-up, interviews and scenarios, wine pairing, a quiz, and a champagne pour.

Finalists were judged by a panel of culinary experts, food critics, and industry leaders, including Adam Handling, Paul Walsh, Simon King, and Andy Downton.

“The World Young Chef Young Waiter finals this year were mind-blowing in terms of the young talent on display - dynamism, innovation, attention to detail but most importantly passion to learn and improve,” says Kate Nicholls CEO of UKHospitality.

“The competition is unique in requiring the kitchen and front of house to compete together as a team - and the competitors showed the teamwork, the camaraderie and friendship that is at the heart of delivering great hospitality experiences. Based on this week’s competition, the future is in safe and talented hands.”