The 2025 Young Chef, Young Waiter & Young Mixologist Cayman Islands Winners. Left to right: HerExcellency the Governor, Jane Owen; Kody Wright (Young Mixologist Winner); Reyah Carrazana (Young Waiter Winner); Kristofer Mason (Young Chef Winner); and Robert Walton MBE, Chairman & President of theRestaurant Association.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – 4th September 2025, The Ministry of Planning, Lands,
Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (PLAHI) together with Young Chef, Young Waiter and Young Mixologist (YYY), is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Cayman Islands competition.

The three-day event brought together Cayman’s brightest young culinary and hospitality talent, with contestants showcasing their skills using local produce and agro-products. The competition reinforced the Cayman Islands’ vision of linking agriculture to tourism and food security.

Her Excellency the Governor, Jane Owen, offered her congratulations, stating:
‘We are delighted to welcome back the Young Chef, Young Waiter and Young Mixologist competition to theCayman Islands. This event is a celebration of the creativity, professionalism and passion of our young Caymanians working within our globally recognised hospitality industry. It also showcases the incredible quality of Cayman’s food and drink along with the importance of supporting local sustainable produce. I wish the all the competitors the best of luck!’

2025 Cayman Islands Winners:

• Young Chef Champion: Kristofer Mason

• Young Waiter Champion: Reyah Carrazana

• Young Mixologist Champion: Kody Wright

These outstanding individuals will now go on to represent the Cayman Islands at the YYY World Finals in the United Kingdom, competing against global peers for international recognition.

Minister of PLAHI, the Hon. Johany “Jay” Ebanks, MP, said:

“Congratulations to all of our participants. This competition demonstrates the power of agriculture and hospitality working hand in hand. By placing Cayman’s locally grown produce at the center of world-class culinary innovation, we are building pride in our food systems and encouraging the next generation of Caymanians to grow, serve, and showcase the very best of Cayman.”

Chief Officer Eric Bush added:

“This competition demonstrates the strong link between Cayman’s agricultural sector and our world-class hospitality industry. By supporting initiatives like this, the Ministry is advancing food security while opening doors for young Caymanians to excel. From the Backyard Garden Pilot to land lease licences for farmers, and now international competitions on the global stage, we are building a solid foundation that strengthens both our people and our economy. I congratulate all participants and look forward to seeing Team Cayman showcase our Islands with pride.”

The competition was supported by the Ministry of PLAHI, local farmers, and hospitality partners, with contestants provided a “Chef’s Larder” filled with premium Caymanian goods, aligning with the Cayman Islands Food and Nutrition Security Policy (CIFNSP).

The Ministry extends warm congratulations to the winners and participants, and thanks all partners for making this initiative a success.

For more information, visit: www.youngchefyoungwaiter.com/cayman-islands

About the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, (PLAHI) Under the guidance of Hon. Minister Johany “Jay” Ebanks, the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure (PLAHI) is committed to enhancing the quality of life and economic prosperity of the Cayman Islands through comprehensive planning, sustainable agriculture, efficient housing solutions, and critical infrastructure development.

About the Cayman Islands Food and Nutrition Security Policy

The Cayman Islands Food and Nutrition Security Policy aims to ensure all residents have access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. The policy focuses on sustainable agriculture, responsible consumption, and food resilience, fostering a robust food system that supports health and prosperity for current and future generations. Link to the policy. (https://www.gov.ky/publication-detail/cayman-islands-food-and-nutrition-security-policy-2022-2036)

About World Young Chef Young Waiter and Young Mixologist (WorldYYY)

Since its establishment in 1979, the Young Chef Young Waiter competition has continued to promote hospitality as a career of choice, a profession, and a vocation. Today, with its new revitalized format, Young Chef Young Waiter continues to honor the next culinary and service stars globally. World Young Chef Young Waiter, in partnership with Great

Campaign UK and Northern Ireland and the Culinary Institute of America, seeks to discover the best young talents in the industry. The competition is open to Young Chefs, waiters, and mixologists under the age of 28 from diverse backgrounds, and WorldYYY ensures these young talents are equipped with relevant skills, current knowledge, and a network to help them succeed in the world of hospitality.

In 2023, the competition marked a significant milestone by expanding its reach to a global audience for its second year, with participants from nine countries striving for the title of World Young Chef Young Waiter Champion. Building on this success, the competition has returned in 2025, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the global hospitality industry and providing an expansive stage for the cultivation of creativity, education, and innovation that knows no geographical bounds. The event promises to surpass all previous iterations in size, quality, and sustainability.

For more information on how to enter the Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist Cayman Islands 2025 competition, visit www.youngchefyoungwaiter.com/cayman-islands