After a gruelling national final at Westminster Kingsway College on 15 October the 2007 Young Chef Young Waiter awards were finally presented.

Chef Simon Christey-French (24) of The Square scooped the prestigious Young Chef title for 2007 whilst Matthew Mawtus (22) of L’Etranger (formerly of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s) walked away with the Young Waiter 2007 accolade.

Both Simon and Matthew scooped the top prize of £2,000, as well as a week’s long study trip to Berlin, courtesy of Hotel Adlon, Restaurant VAU and CMA. Not to mention the prestige of being crowned Young Chef/Young Waiter 2007, at a competition renowned for providing the next generation of culinary stars the opportunity to showcase their aspiring skills and burgeoning talent.

An establishment prize of £500-worth of catering equipment, provided by Hansens, was also awarded to both The Square and Gordon Ramsay of Claridge’s the establishments (at the time of entry) of the first prize winners.

Celebrating its 23rd anniversary year the glittering YCYW awards ceremony, held at London’s Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane welcomed many of the industry’s finest figures in celebration of the talent on show at this year’s competition.

Over 200 guests enjoyed Champagne Louis Roederer as well as fine wine, courtesy of Gian Piero Marrone.

Nerves were on edge as guests and finalists enjoyed a mouth-watering five course meal ahead of the ceremony prepared by an award winning team of chefs including Theo Randell and Phil Howard.

Bruce Pool, chair of the chef judges presented the winning young chefs with their prize and praised the high level of talent at this year’s competition.

Jeremy Rata, chair of the Waiter Judges and presenter of the waiter prizes was similarly impressed with the exceptional talent on display at this year’s final.

Worthy runners up in the Young Chef category were Joshua Pelham (21) of The Square in second place and Sinead Finnigan (22), also of The Square in third.

The Young Waiter category saw the runner up position go to Anja Pfuhl (22) of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and finally third runner up Phillipe Bonjean (22) of The Ritz, London.

Both Joshua and Anja took home the second place prize of £1,000 as well as a long weekend study strip to Piedmont, Italy, courtesy of Albergo La Spiga and Marrone Wines.

Sinead and Phillipe didn’t leave empty handed either after being awarded £500 and work experience at a UK Michelin Star Establishment for coming in third place.

Other finalists, who had all triumphed in their regional heats, included chefs Tristin Farmer of Gordan Ramsey Claridge’s; Clark Crawley of Restaurant Associates: RA Barclays Wealth; Christopher King of Le Gavroche; Darkon Coan of Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles and Ryan Simpson of The Elephant Restaurant.

Waiters included William Bonfield of Design House Restaurant; Sandrine Guerillon of Four Seasons Hotel London; Luke Skidmore of Blue Restaurant; Matthew Balman of Gidleigh Park and finally Josefine Stattaus of Hilton Heathrow Airport, Terminal Four.

All 16 finalists had previously won a three-day study trip to Champagne Louis Roederer, Reims in September as part of their preparation for the national final. With standards continually improving, next year’s competition is bound to be just as nail biting!