Grand Cayman, 29 July 2022 – With the submissions deadline of 17 August fast approaching, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage (MYSCH) urges chefs and wait staff, who have not already done so to apply to enter the Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) Cayman Islands 2022 competition.

The entry process for YCYW Cayman Islands is open online and available for young Caymanian professionals with any background within hospitality at https://youngchefyoungwaiter.com/cayman-islands/  

                With strong industry backing, the event was launched in May and the competition has already attracted an encouraging number of young Caymanians. Eager to display their flair and know-how against the best in the local hotel and restaurant sector, contestants will get to showcase their work with the two winners automatically qualifying for the global competition later this year.

“With more than 200 dining options ranging from silver service fine dining to quick and tasty street food, the Cayman Islands is keen to build on its well-deserved reputation as one of the culinary capitals of the Caribbean,” said MYSCH Minister, Hon. Bernie Bush.

“Known beyond our shores for Cayman Cookout and Taste of Cayman, our entry into YCYW is an amazing opportunity for young Caymanians to make their mark and show everyone the skill, innovation, professionalism and heritage in this well-respected global brand,” the Minister said, adding that this is a welcome addition to numerous existing local initiatives and institutions that support hospitality as a career, vocation and profession for Caymanians.

Following the MYSCH-sponsored live final on 13 September 2022 at the Ritz-Carlton, the winners will represent Cayman in the World Young Chef Young Waiter global competition in Monaco on 16 November 2022. 

Underscoring the Minister’s endorsement, Executive Chef Frederic Morineau noted that such exposure had already opened doors for past winners. He added: “The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is very pleased and honoured to host the first Caymanian Final of the Young Chef Young Waiter competition. Our support of YCYW – Cayman fulfills the Ritz-Carlton’s mission to promote hospitality careers for Caymanian youth.”

Generous primary sponsorship for the YCYW competition in Cayman has been provided by another industry leader. Mr. Fraser Wellon noted: “The Watermark is proud to be the title sponsor of the Young Chef Young Waiter 2022 competition and to partner with the Cayman Islands Government to shine the light on young Caymanians in the hospitality industry and feature them on the global stage. There is a tremendous amount of deserving young local talent in the Cayman Islands and we look forward to supporting their journey through this exciting and transformative opportunity.”

Robert Walton MBE, Chairman of Young Chef Young Waiter, stated: “We are so excited to bring the Young Chef Young Waiter concept to the Cayman Islands. This is more than a competition, this is an opportunity to introduce young Caymanians to new ways of working in hospitality with sustainability and community being key to the Young Chef Young Waiter brand.

The World YCYW Final in Monaco will be an opportunity for the talented winners to meet the very best in hospitality and compete against finalists from around the globe. We’re thrilled to have incredible judges and sponsors on board from the Cayman Islands to support this wonderful competition, which has a proven track record in the UK for finding the next generation of hospitality stars.”

YCYW Cayman Islands is also supported by Grand Old House, The Wharf Restaurant, Tillies, Palm Heights, and Ogier. Local judges include

• Chef Jake Brodski of Tillies 
• Chef Takumi Murase of Yashinoki 
• Frederic Morineau Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman 
• Francesco Cappucci, General Manager of Tillies 
• Chef Vidyadhara Shetty of Blue Cilantro 
• Walter Fajette of Agua Hospitality Group
• Christian Reiter Executive Chef of The Wharf Restaurant Grand Cayman, &
• Luciano De Riso, Head of Operations and Wine Director for Grand Old House and The Wharf.