Marcus McGuinness, second chef at Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham, and Leah Fellstad, head waiter at Rhodes Twenty Four in London, have been awarded the Young Chef 2005 and Young Waiter 2005 titles respectively.

The pair teamed up at the national final – held at Westminster Kingsway College in London on 3 October.

Before a panel of judges, eight waiters demonstrated their service expertise, while the eight chefs created their own amuse-bouche and starter, used monkfish tail as the main ingredient in their main course and prepared dessert from a box of suprise ingredients.

Lord Stratford presented the winners with £2,000 each and a week’s study trip to Barbados.

He said: “ It is very important for us to nurture these talented youngsters so that we can maintain the standards set in the industry.” Details: www.springboarduk.org.uk/ycyw