Reading chef bids for national cooking title

Reading chef Benjamin Mabley will compete at the World Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist England Finals 2026, taking place at Brooklands by Claude Bosi, the two-Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant at The Peninsula London.

Benjamin, who was born in Reading and now works at Hartwell House Hotel & Spa near Aylesbury, has secured a place in the prestigious national competition, where the UK's most promising young chefs, waiters and mixologists compete in a two-day culinary challenge.

The World Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist has helped launch the careers of future hospitality leaders or more than four decades. Established in 1979, the competition has featured former winners and alumni including Gordon Ramsay, Mark Sargeant, Marcus Wareing and Theo Randall.

Finalists will compete in front of an expert judging panel featuring some of the biggest names in hospitality, including renowned celebrity chefs Calum Franklin, Simon Attridge, Mario Perera and Tom Booton.

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Robert Walton MBE, Chairman of World Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist, said:

"Benjamin's place in the England Finals is a fantastic achievement. The competition celebrates the very best young talent in hospitality and he should be extremely proud to be representing Berkshire on the national stage."

The winners will be announced following the finals on the evening of 9 June.

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