Entries are now being taken for The Restaurant Association’s Young Chef Young Waiter 2006 competition.

Now in its 22nd year, this year’s competition is being organised by The Restaurant Association in partnership with American Express and the Savoy Educational Trust, with support from HSBC, CMA and Louis Roederer Champagne.

The competition traditionally pits the hospitality industry’s best young kitchen and front-of-house staff against one another over a series of four regional heats, leading to a grand final at London’s Westminster College in October.

All entrants receive advice, guidance and support from a panel of top industry judges led by Philip Howard of The Square, London and Jeremy Rata, of Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants, throughout the competition.

Entrants to the Young Chef Young Waiter competition must be aged 25 or under and currently working full time in the UK as a chef or a waiter.

The two winners will each receive a cash prize of £2,000, plus a week-long study trip to Barbados courtesy of the Barbados Tourism Board.

Second prize winners receive a cheque for £1,000, and third prize winners win £500.

The 16 grand finalists will also be treated to a trip to Reims, the Champagne region of France, courtesy of Louis Roederer.

The 2006 Young Chef Young Waiter website will be launched on 22 May and downloadable entry forms will be available from this date. The closing date for entries is 30 July.

For more information please contact Tricia Ninian at the Restaurant Association on 0207 404 7744, or email [email protected]. Alternatively, please contact Pauline Jackson, Commercial Manager of the Restaurant Association, on 0207 404 7744, or email [email protected].