William Wang Weicheng, trainee of culinary management from Wynn Macao was the winning chef, while Mondass Ieong, director of Pronto from Wynn Palace was awarded the winning waiter in the ‘Young Chef Young Waiter Macao Competition 2022’.
Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) is the premier competition promoting hospitality as a career choice. The ‘Young Chef Young Waiter Macao Competition 2022 – Final’ was held on 18 October which was organised by Macau Culinary Association with the support of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), IFTM and Wynn Macau. YCYW Macao aims to uncover the very best young talent in the industry and help equip them with relevant skills, current knowledge and the network needed to succeed in the world of hospitality. The competition has a modern approach that focuses on tasks and criteria that are challenging, educational and fun.
Each chef and waiter team competed under the watchful eye of a panel consisting of Worldchefs Certified International Judge Perry Yuen and Edwyn Tam, Coordinator for Food and Beverage Programmes at the IFTM, and eight other leading figures in the hospitality industry, narrowed down the entries to a short list of 8 semi-finalists—4 chefs and 4 waiters—who continued to battle it out at SW Steakhouse, Wynn Palace in two consecutive days, during which chefs were asked to cook a three course meal, while waiters participated in a fine dining table service for 2 guests, which involved champagne and red wine service .
The winner of Young Chef, William Wang Weicheng, who was an IFTM fresh graduate, is now working as a three-month trainee of culinary management in Wynn Macao. ‘It was my first time joining this competition. In order to showcase what I am capable of on the national and even international stage, I have done many preparations ahead with more intense practices and had extended practice hours upon creating my recipes.’ William says.
He added that it was a great chance for talented young chefs and waiters to excel. With such a superb opportunity, he can not only train himself up in a short period of time by putting knowledge learnt in courses and books into practice at the stage of preparation, but also gain valuable hands-on experiences in the competition.
William also wanted to express his gratitude towards his professors and instructors in IFTM. With their teachings and encouragement, he got the courage and opportunity to participate in this prestigious competition of World Young Chef Young Waiter, which widened his horizons through exchange with other contestants on the stage. He believed the recognition as the winning Young Chef in Macao will drive positive career development, and lead him going on to achieve notable success in the service industry.
Bringing this national competition and awards gives IFTM the opportunity to profile as the culinary arts and hospitality training education institution in Macao, responsible for training some newest talents for the sector. Yet, highlighting the remarkable skills of the finest young professionals building their careers in the industry.
IFTM President Dr. Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan says the Macao government, industry enterprises and education institutions have always been supporting the industry events to encourage young catering personnel’s reach for a higher level of expertise and international competitiveness. This competition does not only bolster the local catering industry towards a brighter future, but will also push forward the initiatives for Macao’s development as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in accord with the close collaboration with industry operators, steering Macao’s tourism development towards diversification and sustainability.
Both winners of Young Chef and Young waiter, William and Mondass, as well as the winners from Scotland, Cayman Islands, Ireland, Wales, the United States of America, Canada and India, will have to compete in the finals being held in November in Monaco. Let’s give our biggest support and look forward to seeing William and Mondass representing Macao at the World Final in Monaco to shine spotlights on the young talent in the hospitality industry!
