Winners Announced for the 2025 Young Chef, Young Waiter & Young Mixologist Cayman Islands Competition

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 the Cayman 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.