Calling All Caymanian Young Professionals
Calling All Caymanian Young Professionals: Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist Cayman Islands Competition Returns in 2024
July 2024: The prestigious Young Chef Young Waiter Cayman Islands competition is back and is set to take place on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 at Blue by Eric Ripert, Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. YYY Cayman Island welcomes young hospitality professionals who are 28 years old or under and Caymanian, to showcase their talents. This competition provides an incredible opportunity for emerging talents to showcase their skills on a global platform. By supporting the future of hospitality and nurturing young careers, the competition promotes local cuisines and businesses, highlighting the Cayman Islands as a number one culinary destination.
YYY’s mission is to identify the most outstanding young talent in our industry and successfully retain their careers within it. This prestigious event aims to recognise, celebrate, and support the best young chefs, waiters, and mixologists in the hospitality industry, motivating and inspiring them to build successful careers.
This year, the Cayman Islands will be hosting the Young Mixologist competition organised by WorldYYY and elevated by NEFT Vodka for the first time and sponsored by Tortuga Rum Company. Young Mixologist Cayman Islands will run alongside the YYY competition, with all three categories working together. This marks the first time ever that this integrated approach will be rolled out in all participating countries around the world, setting a new standard for global hospitality competitions.
In addition to the exciting competitions, a prestigious reception will be hosted at H E The Governor of the Cayman Islands Residency, offering a unique opportunity for finalists and guests to network and celebrate the islands vibrant hospitality industry and solidifying her commitment to the YYY Cayman Island competition.
Applications for the 2024 YYY Cayman Islands competition are now officially open, inviting aspiring chefs, waiters, and mixologists from across the Island to showcase their talent and dedication to the craft.
How to Apply:
- Entry is free for young professional Chefs, Waiters, and Mixologists, who are 28 years old or under.
- Entrants must have a minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in a hospitality establishment.
- Applicants entering must be available to take part in the world final competition scheduled on 15th -17th November 2024, in Singapore.
- To apply, on our online awards platform, visit https://youngchefyoungwaiter.awardsplatform.com/
- The deadline for submissions is Saturday 3rd August 2024.
- YYY Cayman Islands is open to Caymanian nationality or naturalised Caymanians only
- To learn more, visit https://youngchefyoungwaiter.com/cayman-islands/
Finalists will be judged by a panel of esteemed culinary experts, food critics, and industry leaders. Last year, the judging panel included Head Chef Judge, Frederic Morineau, Executive Chef at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, Christian Reiter, Executive Chef at The Wharf
Last year’s winners of the YYY Cayman Islands competition set the bar high, showcasing exceptional talent and determination. Once again, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Chef Sebastian Amaya from The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and Waiter Rosie McKitrick, from Agua Hospitality Group for their incredible accomplishments.
Young Chef Young Waiter was established in 1979 and only operated in England for 42 years. Over the past years, the competition has expanded around the world and is now in its 45th year and 3rd year going global. In 2024, World Young Chef Young Waiter, and Young Mixologist elevated by NEFT Vodka will expand to 12 countries around the world. As we continue to grow, these competitions will offer even greater opportunities for young talents in the culinary and hospitality industries, fostering international collaboration and providing an enriching platform for skill development and professional advancement.
We are grateful for the generous support of our esteemed sponsors and partners, The Cayman Islands Government, The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, Tortuga Rum Company, NEFT Vodka, Mise en Place, Grand Old House, Mykonos, Agua Hospitality Group, The Wharf, PDL Distributors, Culinary Institute of America, Cayman Cigar, and GREAT Campaign.
Quotations:
Robert Walton MBE said: “As the Chairman of YYY, I am excited to witness the evolution of our competition, nurturing, and showcasing the passion, skills, and dedication of the next generation of hospitality professionals. It is truly an honour to see that YYY will be hosted in the Cayman Islands for its third year, highlighting the region’s vibrant culinary scene and commitment to excellence. Each year, YYY provides an unparalleled platform for young talents to excel, learn, and network, defining their careers in an ever-evolving industry. The Cayman Islands’ rich hospitality tradition makes it the perfect setting for this prestigious event.”
H E The Governor of the Cayman Islands, Ms Jane Owen said: “Cayman Islands has a wealth of skilled and creative young professionals within our hospitality industry, and I welcome the opportunity YYY provides to showcase these talents. By supporting this event, we also promote our local cuisines and businesses while investing in the future of our famous hospitality industry. I look forward to welcoming all finalists and guests to the reception, where we will sample a Cayman inspired cocktail, and together celebrate the innovation and excellence that define the Cayman Islands as a top culinary destination.”
Natalie Porter, Head of Marketing and Communications at Tortuga Rum Company said: “We are proud to support young Caymanian chefs, waiters, and mixologists in their career journeys through our partnership with World YYY. The YYY Cayman Islands competition is an excellent platform for recognizing and nurturing the incredible talent within our local hospitality industry. By fostering these young professionals, we not only contribute to their personal and professional growth but also strengthen the culinary and hospitality reputation of the Cayman Islands. As a premier wine and spirits distributor, we are particularly pleased to see the addition of the Young Mixologist competition. I look forward to seeing how our talented young professionals incorporate locally-sourced ingredients and represent the Cayman Islands on the global stage.
Walter Fajette | Director/Co-Owner, Agua Hospitality Group said: “I am very excited to be part once again to this fantastic event. I hope I can transmit the passion I have for the industry to all the young Chefs and Waiters who are participating”
Frederic Morineau Culinary Director at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman said: “At the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman our Ladies and Gentlemen (our employees) are the most important resource in our service commitment to our guest. Therefore, one of our goals is to promote Hospitality Careers within our Young Caymanian community so they can continue the legacy of the Ritz Carlton Legendary Service. Partnering with the Young Chef Young Waiter organization fulfil completely that vision!”
Scott Haugh, MNPL, Director at The Bridge Foundation Cayman said: “Brilliant local talent creating food artistry, professional, gracious service to others and the creative skills of masterful mixology are the essence of a cherished hospitality experience, that is, giving of yourself so that others may benefit. Cayman Cigar Company mirrors this concept as the only cigar company in the world to donate 100% of profits to charity. Cayman Cigar Company is proud to support young Caymanians competing in YYY 2024 and beyond.”
Sean Collins, Managing Director at Mise En Place Ltd said: “As a proud Caymanian with a lifelong passion for hospitality, I wholeheartedly support YCYW’s mission to nurture and inspire the next generation of culinary and service talent in our community. Mise en Place Ltd. is honoured to be one of the sponsors of the Young Chef Young Waiter Cayman Islands 2024 and to be part of this meaningful endeavour.”
About WorldYYY
Since its establishment in 1979, the Young Chef Young Waiter competition has continued to promote hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation. Today, with its new revitalised format Young Chef Young Waiter continues to honour the next culinary and service stars globally. World Young Chef Young Waiter, in partnership with Great Campaign UK and Northern Ireland and the Culinary Institute of America, mission to discover the best young talents in the industry. The competition is open to Young Chefs, waiters, and mixologists under the age of 28 from diverse backgrounds and WorldYYY ensures these young talents are equipped with relevant skills, current knowledge, and a network to help them succeed in the world of hospitality.
In 2023, the competition marked a significant milestone by expanding its reach to a global audience for its second year, with participants from nine countries striving for the title of World Young Chef Young Waiter Champion. Building on this success, the competition has returned in 2024, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the global hospitality industry and providing an expansive stage for the cultivation of creativity, education, and innovation that knows no geographical bounds, the event promises to surpass all previous iterations in size, quality, and sustainability.
NOTES:
The World Young Chef Young Waiter competition, established in 1979 in partnership with UKHospitality and the Restaurant Association. The competition promotes hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and an avocation. The competition is open to all young chefs and waiters from any background under the age of 28.
Editors’ Note:
The GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign is a programme to drive economic growth across the nation by encouraging an international audience to visit, study and do business with the UK. It was set up in 2011 and promotes the best of the UK in 164 countries around the world, consistently generating a strong return on investment averaging 15.1. @greatbritain (Twitter) @greatcampaign (Instagram)
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