Team Wales crowned winner of first World Young Chef Young Waiter competition
Team Wales has won the first World Young Chef Young Waiter (World YCYW) competition.
Ali Halbert from Heaney's in Cardiff was crowned World Young Chef, while Tilly Morris from Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire was named World Young Waiter.
The World finalists came from England, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Macao, Wales, Singapore and Canada.
The results were announced at the awards dinner held at the Maybourne Riviera Hotel in Monaco on 16 November, attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Halbert, who has worked across Switzerland, Denmark, Portugal and France, impressed the judges with his turbot and clams starter; his venison, artichoke, plum, pine and black garlic main; and his acorn, cremeux, walnut, white chocolate and blackberries dessert.
Adam Handling, head chef judge, said: "What a world final! It was incredible to see the talent that was involved this year - they were really some of the best. Ali made Wales very proud - he was consistently good with all his dishes, which is a difficult thing to achieve but consistency is key. You could tell he was really gunning for that title."
Morris, who studied hospitality at Exeter before working at the Michelin-starred Adare Manor in Ireland, was praised by head waiter judge Simon King for demonstrating "her knowledge and passion in every task, show[ing] willingness to help other competitors".
Team Singapore was crowned runners-up, while Team England came third.
Robert Walton, chairman of World YCYW, said: "I am so proud to crown the World Champion Chef & Waiter from Wales. The competition is now 45 years old, and I am so proud of how it continues to highlight the young, up-and-coming talent in our exciting industry. The aim of World YCYW is simple: to uncover the very best young talent in our industry."
The Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) competition started in 1979 and is open to young chefs and waiters under the age of 26. World YCYW was launched in 2022 to bring the competition to an international stage.
