Feste Group Announces 2024 WINNERS for Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist (YYY) Competition!

October 21st 2024

HONG KONG, Hong Kong – The two-day live finals for the prestigious Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist Hong Kong took place on October 10th and 11th, and the results are in!  This year hosted at the International Culinary Institute in Pok Fu Lam, the annual event celebrates the best young professionals in hospitality, giving them a spotlight on the world stage.  

Day one saw masterclasses with the esteemed judges and sponsors from how to use Cantonese spirits with Gavin Yeung (Kinsman), serving wines with Monica Cheung (of Kedington Wines), and using food scraps to create a sustainable snack with Richard Ekkebus and ArChan Chan.  These three tutorials became the surprise challenges of day two - the competition finals where our talented young finalists took to their stations to battle it out for their spot on Team Hong Kong for the World Finals.

While chefs, waiters, and mixologists are marked individually with challenges throughout the morning on October 11th, they were partnered up two weeks prior to strategise and plan for the main event of the competition - the three-course lunch service in front of the judging panel and VIP guests.  Every table was unique with each of our contestants showcasing their personal stories and special craft, however, only three can make it to Singapore in November.

Winners Announced for Team Hong Kong

Young Chef of the Year - Angus Wong from Amber made a comeback having placed second in last year’s competition.  He wowed his guests and Chef Judges (ArChan Chan, Richard Ekkebus, and Henrik Jonsson) with culinary technique and welcoming flavours with his three-course menu based on autumn in Hong Kong.  

Young Waiter of the Year - Tony To from Godenya demonstrated exceptional service skills and teamwork with his chef partner, earning him high praise from the Waiter Judges (Kristina Snaith-Lense, Lindsay Jang, and Abby Cadman).

Young Mixologist of the Year - Evan Mak from Argo is no stranger to the competition world, and with his creative cocktails and menu pairings with Chef Angus, he clinched the title for the Mixologist Judges (Lorenzo Antinori, Gavin Yeung, and Francis Ricafort).

The winning menu by chef-mixologist partners, Angus and Evan, is as follows:

Sustainable Welcome Snack - Potato Skin Tacos with Marinated Prawns (Angus)

Sustainable Welcome Cocktail - Monkey 47 Gin, Pickle Juice, Apple, Balsamic Vinegar, Ginger Syrup (Evan)

Starter - Shima Aji, Lime Kosho, Pickled Radish, Chive, Jalapeño, Granny Smith Apple, Tomato (Angus)

Main - Mulard Duck, Beetroot, Red Cabbage, Fig, Red Wine, Szechuan Pepper, Balsamic Vinegar, Shiso (Angus)

Non-Alcoholic Palate Cleanser - Beetroot, Lemon, Ginger (Evan)

Dessert - Sweet Potato, Caramelised Walnut Crepe Mille Feuille, Ginger, Vanilla, Cinnamon Gelato (Angus)

The runner ups of each category are Steven Yuen from Belon (Chef), Nigel Lee from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Waiter), and Sunny Leung from DIO Cafe and Bar (Mixologist).

The winners will represent Hong Kong at the World Finals this year to be hosted in Singapore on November 22nd-24th, where they will compete as a team against top young talents from around the globe for the chance to win the grand prize of 15,000 USD.

The competition would not be possible without the support of its amazing array of sponsors and partners: Feste Group, International Culinary Institute, To-Plate, Feather & Bone, Perrier Jouët, Monkey 47 Gin, Chivas Whisky, Altos Olmeca Tequila, Neft Vodka, Kedington Wines, Nordaq, Kinsman, Bar Leone, Socio, Tatler, Luzerne SG, and OVOLO Hotels.

For photos of the competition, click here.

About YYY Hong Kong

The YYY Hong Kong competition is part of the global Young Chef Young Waiter initiative, which aims to honour the next generation of culinary and service stars. It seeks to celebrate and elevate the hospitality industry, encouraging young professionals to view it as a career of choice and a noble profession.

Feste Group’s goal with YYY has always been to gather Hong Kong’s F&B community together to continue supporting, encouraging, and pushing our industry forward in every aspect with this new generation of hospitality trailblazers.  With a star-studded judging panel including the likes of Shane Osborn, Richard Ekkebus, ArChan Chan, Lindsay Jang, Lorenzo Antinori, Gavin Yeung, Kristina Snaith-Lense, Abby Cadman, and Francisco Ricafort, the finalists will be mentored by their industry heroes.

Hospitality professionals, media outlets, culinary students, and food enthusiasts are all invited to follow this landmark event in Hong Kong.  For more information, please visit https://youngchefyoungwaiter.com/hong-kong/ 

Visit our Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/ycywhongkong/ 

With special thanks to our sponsors and partners:

For press enquiries, please contact:

Natalie Fong

Head of Brand and Marketing

natalie@feste-group.com

All Finalists of YYY Hong Kong 2024.