London chef and waiter scoop RAGB awards

The Restaurateurs Association of Great Britain's Young Chef and Young Waiter of the Year Awards reached a climax last week with the national final at Westminster College, London.

Marcus Waring, aged 24, of London's Aubergine restaurant, won the coveted title of Young Chef of the Year 1995, and Scott Craddock, aged 22, of the Dorchester, London, won the Young Waiter award.

Aubergine had double cause for celebration as it also supplied the runner-up in the chef category, Frederick Forster. The second-placed waiter was Rachel New from the Four Seasons Hotel, London.

The eight national finalists, from three regional heats, had to create a light and healthy three-course meal, based on turbot, for six covers. Waiters were each paired with a chef, whose meal they served to specially invited lunch guests.

The winners of the 11-year-old competition were announced at a celebration dinner and awards presentation at the Grosvenor House, attended by industry representatives.

The competition is sponsored by American Express, with support from Forte, the German Wine Information Service and Caterer & Hotelkeeper.