Wing Yip chefs on the home run

Finalists revealed for prestigious competition

Wing Yip has announced the 14 finalists for its 2019 Young Chef of the Year competition, which gives young chefs the chance to immerse themselves in Oriental cooking and gain valuable industry experience by cooking for a panel of expert judges.

The line-up of judges comprises Woky Ko founder, Larkin Cen, President of the British Culinary Federation Peter Griffiths and Michelin starred Chef Glynn Purnell.

This year’s competition has so far challenged applicants to submit a written entry, and the selected finalists will now go on to battle it out for the title by preparing a traditional street-food dish and a main course of their choice.

The finalists include entrants from two universities including University College Birmingham and De Montfort University and two colleges including North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College and South and City College Bournville. Representatives in the final also include several hospitality businesses, including Dine Contract Catering, The Belfry, Manor House Hotel and Golf Club, Saunton Sands with others hailing from the ICC, JLR Solihull, OPUS and House of Commons.

“We always have fantastic support across the UK from young chefs and their mentors and this year was no exception,” commented Wing Yip Director Ennevor Yap. “The calibre of entries was extremely high so we’re expecting this year to be a very exciting competition.”

The finalists will now compete in a live cook-off at University College Birmingham, and the winner will not only win the coveted title ‘Wing Yip Young Chef of the Year 2019’, but also a £750 cash prize and a stage with MasterChef finalist Larken Cen at his restaurant, Woky Ko.

“It was a carefully considered process selecting the 14 candidates who are now through to the cook off and we wish them all the best of luck in the final,” continued Ennavor Yap. “It makes us very proud to have watched the competition grow over the past seven years and gain recognition amongst so many talented young chefs from across the industry.”

The competition will take place on 4 April 2019 at University College Birmingham. Further information about the competition can be found here.