National finalists for YCYW

25th September 2008, 12:54pm

The national finalists for the Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) competition have been announced.

The young chefs competed in a series of culinary challenges in the kitchen, while the waiters took part in a number of informative tutorials in wine, cheese, beer and coffee before putting their skills to the test in front of the judges.

Eight chefs and eight waiters, all aged under 25 years, will go forward to compete at Westminster Kingsway College next Tuesday (30 September) for the 2008 titles.

The chef finalists from Darlington are Rose Greene – The Balmoral Hotel, Steven Evans – Northcote Group, and chefs from Birmingham who will be battling it out are Alejandro Jose Cancino – Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, Ben Mullins – Lucknam Park Hotel, and Chris Lovell – The Elephant.

Talented chefs taking part from Thames Vallley will be Sean Enslin – Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Adam Smith – The Ritz, and Tristin Farmer – Gordon Ramsay at Claridges.

Competing in the waiter finalists from Darlington are William Bonfield – The Boxtree Restaurant, Katie Watson – Gleneagles Hotel, Matthew Randall – Harvey Nichols Manchester.

And Birmingham will see Thomas Mercier – The Vineyard at Stockcross, Mayta Meza – Opus Restaurant, and Matthew Balman – Gidleigh Park, compete for the coveted title.

Last but not least, competing in the Thames Valley region will be Barbara Riotti – The Goring, and Marco Fusato – The Ritz.

All these finalists have won an invitation to visit Champagne Besserat de Bellafon in Epernay. The winners of the final will also be presented with a cheque for £2000, plus a gastronomic stay in London, including a visit to the Restaurant Show, dinner at Chez Bruce and lunch in the Krug Room at The Dorchester.

A range of award-winning knives from Gustav Emil Ern, courtesy of Gilberts Food Equipment for the chef and a selection of fine wines for the waiter, is also part of the first prize.

Each winner's establishment will receive a Pronto 4 Counter-Top Ice Cream Maker from Carpigiani. 

Related Articles:

• 21 Sep 2011 - Finalists to compete in next stage of Young Chef Young Waiter 2011 challenge
• 15 Aug 2011 - Regional finalists for Young Chef Young Waiter contest revealed
• 30 Jun 2011 - Young Chef Young Waiter entry date extended
• 21 Oct 2010 - Young Chef Young Waiter winners announced
• 13 Sep 2010 - Winners of Young Chef Young Waiter Northern finals to compete in nationals
• 24 Aug 2010 - Regional finalists announced for Young Chef Young Waiter competition
• 08 Oct 2009 - Girls triumph in YCYW contest
• 18 Sep 2009 - Southern regional finalists of YCYW contest announced
• 15 Sep 2009 - Northern regional finalists of YCYW contest revealed
• 20 Aug 2009 - Regional finalists for YCYW announced
• 14 Jul 2009 - Just two days left to enter YCYW competition
• 26 May 2009 - YCYW competition sees von Essen hotels as headline sponsor

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