Tell us what you think about front of house skills in the UK and win a night for two at a von Essen hotel
Next month, some of the country's rising front and back of house stars aged 25 and under will compete in the regional heats of the Young Chef, Young Waiter competition, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The competition, which is organised by the Restaurant Association and sponsored by hotel group von Essen, rewards the best young chef and young waiter in the hospitality industry.
Judging of shortlisted chefs will take place at Darlington College and Thames Valley University, while shortlisted waiters will be judged at Seaham Hall and Cliveden hotels. Regional winners will progress to the finals, at Westminster Kingsway University, in October.
Judges will include Bruce Poole, chef proprietor of the Michelin-starred Chez Bruce, as the chair of the chef judges and Stephen Mannock of Darlington College as the chair of the waiter judges.
To mark the competition's anniversary, we are conducting research into the quality of waiting in the UK today. Does waiting provide a worthwhile career? Are waiters valued by guests as much as chefs? And are we in danger of losing the traditional waiting skills? We want to know what you think.
To prompt you to fill in the survey, von Essen are offering a night for two at one of their country set hotels, including a three-course dinner with a bottle of house wine and full English breakfast.
Offer subject to availability, based on two people sharing a room, valid Sunday to Thursday, to be taken before December 17th 2009.
Von Essen becomes main sponsor of Young Chef Young Waiter >>