Young Chef Young Waiter Competition to Take Place in the U.S. for the First Time

SAVOR – the culinary division of live-event producer ASM Global – joined with World Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) to bring the renowned service competition to the United States for the first time ever.

Now in its 43rd year, Young Chef Young Waiter – featuring a panel that includes The French Laundry’s renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller – is the premier competition promoting hospitality as a career choice.

Shaun Beard, SAVOR’s senior vice president of food and beverage, said the competition is a superb opportunity to help train, educate and further the career development of young professionals in the service industry.

“As ASM Global continues to reinvent the live-entertainment experience, with food and beverage playing a huge role in elevating the entire paradigm, this is a great chance to help these talented young chefs and waiters excel,” explained Beard.

Enter the Competition: Young Chef Young Waiter

SAVOR is currently calling on the best of the best in the service industry from all over the country to register for the Young Chef Young Waiter competition, with the chance to compete in the live round taking place at the Long Beach Convention Center Sept. 19 and 20.

The winners of the American leg of the competition, as well as the winners from several international competitions taking place around the world, will have the opportunity to compete in the finals, which will be held Nov. 15-17 in Monaco.

YCYW aims to highlight the remarkable skills of the finest young professionals building their careers in the industry. Many past winners have gone on to achieve notable success in hospitality. Winners and judges have included some of the industry’s most recognizable names including Mark Sargeant, Marcus Wareing, Simon King, John Torode, Annie and Germain Schwab, Jeremy King and many more.

Enter by Aug. 31

Chefs and waiters throughout the United States under the age of 26 can visit YoungChefYoungWaiter.com/USA-California to enter online through Aug. 31.

A panel of high-profile service industry veterans, including Keller; award-winning chef Adam Sobel; and Michael Brennan, president of Specialty Restaurants Group, will help narrow down the entries to a short list of 20 finalists – 10 chefs and 10 waiters – who will battle it out in the two-day live finale and awards party at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The two winners of YCYW United States will move on to participate in the World Young Chef Young Waiter Final in Monaco.

The entry submission is free for chefs and waiters residing in the United States who are 26 years old or under and who meet the Aug. 31 deadline. Entrants can take part if they are currently employed in the role of chef or waiter and have been employed for three years or more in the hospitality industry (including those who may be temporarily unable to work or have been furloughed from their present roles).

To learn more, visit YoungChefYoungWaiter.com.

Plan to Attend or Participate in
Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023

To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.

To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:

Veronica Gonnello
​(for companies A to G)
​e: [email protected]
p: 212-895-8244

​Tim Schultz
​(for companies H to Q)
​e: [email protected]
p: (917) 258-8589

Fadi Alsayegh​
(for companies R to Z)
​e: [email protected]
p: 917-258-5174​

Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.