Best young talents claim final places
The organisers of the Young Chef Young Waiter competition have announced the line-up for the event's final, to take place in London on 16 October, following two keenly fought regional heats which took place earlier this month.
A total of 32 chefs and 32 waiters, all aged 25 or under, battled it out in the southern and northern heats, with eight making it through in each category (see below).
In the southern heat, the chefs had to demonstrate their skills by cleaning and slicing a side of salmon, boning a chicken, making oeufs à la neige, and creating a dish from a surprise basket of ingredients.
Meanwhile, those in the northern heat were tasked with filleting and skinning a John Dory, preparing a hollandaise sauce, cooking two soft-poached eggs and, again, creating a dish from a surprise basket of ingredients.
Separate panels of leading chefs judged the northern and southern competitions, with John Torode, chef-proprietor of Smith's of Smithfield, acting as chairman for both panels.
Young Chef Young Waiter is organised by the Restaurant Association and is sponsored by American Express, with additional sponsorship from Ernest and Julio Gallo, Louis Roederer, Fresh RM, Jeroboams and the Savoy Educational Trust.
The ultimate winners of the titles will each receive a cheque for £2,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to San Francisco and the Ernest and Julio Gallo vineyards.
Young Chef finalists
Anthony Rush, second chef, Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Anke Hartman, demi chef, Chewton Glen, New Milton, Hampshire
Ben Turner, chef de partie, Orrery, London
Luca de Negri, first commis, Le Gavroche, London
Jason Birbeck, junior sous chef, Northcote Manor, Langho, Lancashire
Peter Eaton, demi chef de partie, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire
Toby Runyeard, second chef, Morston Hall hotel, Blakeney, Norfolk
Paul Hill, personal chef to Sir Paul Getty
Young Waiter finalists
Luciano Racca, chef de rang, the Dorchester, London
Danis Gabriel, sommelier, Orrery, London
Maria Steckermeier, Palm Court manager, Sheraton Park Lane, London
Franck Lepinay, head waiter, the Ritz, London
Kate Chamberlain, restaurant manager, Devonshire Arms, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Francois Labarre, chef de rang, Orrery, London
Clemens Mair, waiter, Oxo Tower restaurant, London
Matt Wilson, chef de rang, the Lanesborough, London
