Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist Wales 2025 Finalists Announced
Wales’s rising stars in hospitality prepare for the spotlight at Swansea.com Stadium
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has announced the talented finalists for Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist Wales 2025, with the live competition set to take place at Swansea.com Stadium on Monday, September 22.
The prestigious event, which showcases the very best of Wales’s emerging hospitality talent, will see young chefs, waiters, and mixologists under the age of 28 compete for the coveted national titles – and a chance to represent Wales on the world stage.
The competition reflects UWTSD’s wider commitment to blending academic study with industry experience. The University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management programmes, including International Gastronomy Management, Hospitality and Hotel Management, and Events and International Festivals Management, are designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise. Competitions like Young Chef Young Waiter offer a living example of how classroom learning connects to real-world practice, giving young people the opportunity to test their skills, build networks, and prepare for rewarding careers in hospitality.
This year’s finalists are:
Chef
- Rob Griffiths – Penmaenuchaf
- Jordan Newton – Beach House
- Edward Junaidean – Thomas
- Tia Davies – The Welsh House, Neath
Waiter
- Joseph Young – Swansea.com
- Arwen Garland – UWTSD / Swansea.com
- Bronte Lorimer – Beach House
- Ruby Westwood – The Welsh House, Swansea
Mixologist
- Adhwaith Chandra – Browns, Cardiff
- Charlotte Malin – Lab 22, Cardiff
- Bethany Fawkes – Sant Ffraid House, The Oldwalls Collection
- Ellen Budd – Penny, Cardiff
The finalists will be tasked with impressing a panel of industry-leading judges through a series of practical challenges designed to test their creativity, technical skill, and professionalism.
Building on last year’s success
In 2024, the Wales competition crowned:
Young Chef: Alex Dunham of The Whitebrook, Monmouth
Young Waiter: Jack Williams of Penmaenuchaf Hotel, Dolgellau
Young Mixologist: James Borley of The Dead Canary, Cardiff
All three went on to represent Wales at the World Young Chef Young Waiter finals in Singapore, where they showcased their talents on an international stage. Last year’s runners-up included Dalton Weir of The Toad (Chef), Enes Hatipoglu of The Celtic Collection (Waiter), and Ellen Budd of Penny (Mixologist), who returns to the competition this year to compete again for the title.
Reflecting on last year’s success, Dr Jayne Griffith-Parry, Academic Director of Hospitality and Tourism Management at UWTSD and competition lead for Wales, said:
“Once again, we are delighted to celebrate the extraordinary talent in Wales’s hospitality sector. The competition not only provides a platform for these young professionals to shine but also demonstrates the strength of Wales’s food and drink culture, rooted in local produce and world-class creativity.”
A showcase for Welsh hospitality
Established in 1979, the Young Chef Young Waiter competition has become a cornerstone of the UK hospitality calendar. Hosted by UWTSD, the Welsh finals also emphasise sustainable practices and community spirit, with surplus produce from the competition donated to Matthew’s House in Swansea, which supports vulnerable people in the city.
With support from industry partners including Neft Vodka, Compass Cymru, Castell Howell, Mor Ladron Rum, Swansea Fish, Towy Fish & Game and The Village Hotel, Swansea, the competition highlights the collaborative effort that drives hospitality in Wales forward.
As anticipation builds for next week’s live finals, all eyes will be on Swansea.com Stadium to see who will take the titles and follow in the footsteps of last year’s champions.
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071