Now in its 24th year the Young Chef Young Waiter competition is the industry's premier award for young hospitality professionals who are passionate about food and service.

Three nail-biting regional heats have already taken place across the UK in Darlington, Birmingham and at Thames Valley and the finalists have now been announced as the build up begins to the grand final. Eight chefs and eight waiters have now gone through to the final which is being held at Westminster Kingsway College on Tuesday, 30 September.

The Darlington regional heat saw chef Rose Greene of the Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh walk away with the first place prize. Steven Evans of the Northcote Group was in second place at the competition and coming in third was Martin Malinowski-Evans of Café 21.

Waiter William Bonfield of The Boxtree Restaurant, who had previously entered the competition in 2007 and lost out at the final, also came in first place. William said, 'It's a complete surprise, I'm so delighted to have won. I really took onboard the judges constructive criticism from last year and I have worked so hard to improve my skills.' In second place came Katie Watson of the Gleneagles Hotel and third place went to Matthew Randall of Harvey Nichols, Manchester.

The Birmingham heat provided a very close competition with Argentinian chef Alejandro Jose Cancino of Le Manoir au Quat' Saisons taking first place. Second place went to Ben Mullins of Lucknam Park Hotel and in third place was Chris Lovell of The Elephant.

Chair of Chef Judges, Bruce Poole had this to say of the competitors. 'Today was very close indeed and judging is usually straight forward. The top five places were all very close with an excellent standard and so there has been a lot of deliberating for the judges. Alejandro was the clear winner though coming top in all rounds and preparing an excellent main course which showed intelligence and excellent presentation skills.'

The Waiter competition was just as close and Stephen Mannock, chair of the Waiter judges had just as tough a job deciding on first, second and third place. Thomas Mercier of The Vineyard at Stockcross was announced as the first place competitor with Mayta Meza of Opus Restaurant in second and Matthew Balman of Gidleigh Park in third.

Finally came the southern heat which was held at Thames Valley University which saw chef Sean Enslin from Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester announced as the winner with Adam Smith of The Ritz in second place and 2007 finalist Tristin Farmer from Gordon Ramsay at Claridges in third place.

Barbara Riotti of The Goring won the waiter category, followed by Marco Fusato of The Ritz in second place and Jeremy Verna of The Greenhouse in third. The first and second placed competitors automatically go through to the final competition and the two highest third placed entrants from each category have followed them giving a total of 16 competitors for the final competition. These are:

Chefs
Rose Greene (The Balmoral Hotel)
Steven Evans (Northcote Group)
Alejandro Jose Cancino (Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons)
Ben Mullins (Lucknam Park Hotel)
Chris Lovell (The Elephant)
Sean Enslin (Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester)
Adam Smith (The Ritz)
Tristin Farmer (Gordon Ramsey at Claridges)

Waiters
William Bonfield (The Boxtree Restaurants)
Katie Watson (Gleneagles Hotel)
Matthew Randall (Harvey Nichols, Manchester)
Thomas Mercier (The Vineyard at Stockcross)
Mayta Meza (Opus Restaurant)
Matthew Balman (Gidleigh Park)
Barbara Riotti (The Goring)
Marco Fusato (The Ritz)

The 16 regional heat winners are currently enjoying an exclusive trip to Champagne Besserat de Bellefon in Epernay courtesy of the competitions champagne sponsors.

The winners of this year's Young Chef, Young Waiter Competition will be announced at the prestigious National Final Awards Dinner to be held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Cadogan Place on Tuesday, 30th September 2008.

There will be a Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Reception followed by a Gala Dinner prepared by an award winning team of chefs.

For further details of the awards presentation and gala dinner please call Pauline Jackson at the BHA on 020 7269 9686 or email [email protected] Click here for a booking form.

Photograph: Thames Valley Regional Heat, 16 September: Winning Chef, Sean Enslin and winning waiter, Barbara Riotti with Chef Chair of Judges Bruce Poole, Waiter Chair of Judges Stephen Mannock and the Chairman of the Restaurant Association, Bob Walton