Titanic Belfast will host the prestigious Young Chef Young Waiter Ireland Awards 2023 on Tuesday 19th September where professional young waiters and chefs from across the island of Ireland will compete to win, before going on to represent Ireland on the international stage.

The Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) awards have been established in the UK since 1979, with the global competition launching in 2019, and this year twelve countries, including the Ireland winners, will compete at the world finals in Monaco in November 2023 to celebrate culinary professionals and hospitality excellence. The Ireland panel of expert judges are led by Chef Richard Corrigan and include chef-proprietor Anna Haugh of Myrtle London, Group Executive Chef at Harcourt Developments Gordon Smyth, General Manager of The Merrion Hotel Peter MacCann and Raymond Blake, one of Ireland’s leading wine writers, alongside other well-known advocates for new talent.

Open to all professional waiters and chefs under 28-years of age, from any background working in the restaurant or hospitality sector, Titanic Belfast as a founding member of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) Network are encouraging Northern Irish participants to get involved with this once in a lifetime experience.

Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast commented: “We are delighted to be the venue partner for this exciting initiative. As one of the city’s most iconic event venues and hospitality employers, we are proud to not only support emerging talent, but also hope to motivate and inspire these leaders of the future to showcase their incredible expertise by taking part, helping us celebrate the renowned capabilities and diversity of our amazing industry here in Northern Ireland.”

Roisin McKee, Project Director of HATS Network added, “Against the backdrop of staffing challenges and intense competition for talent, it’s wonderful to see globally recognised awards and industry experts supporting the industry by helping to attract and develop top talent. This is a remarkable opportunity for those who have chosen a fulfilling career in the hospitality industry and shows the huge progression potential available for roles across all disciplines within the hospitality and tourism sectors.”

Robert Lee Mulcahy, Chairman YCYW Ireland and Monaco said, “The aim of the Ireland competition is simple - to uncover the very best young talent in our industry. This is a chance for young professionals to test their proficiency, gain new skills and progress their career with Ireland’s leading experts as their guide. Not forgetting of course, the many new relationships forged in the heat of competition!”

Devised by respected professionals, the competition has a modern approach focusing on tasks and criteria that are challenging and informative as well as fun. Participants who wish to apply can do so online for free at www.YoungChefYoungWaiter.com/Ireland, with entries closing at midnight on 30th August 2023.