In 2017 the prestigious S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition is back, offering candidates a number of new opportunities to extend their skillset while developing their personal cooking style and gaining global visibility.
The competition has long had a reputation for providing up and coming chefs with a platform to demonstrate and strengthen their skills while boosting their reputation, both with other chefs and restaurateurs along with foodies, gourmands and bloggers. Past participants have walked away with an enriched understanding of the global fine dining culture as well as an elevated profile.
“It is a great honour to be named S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016,” said S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 winner, Mitch Lienhard of the United States. “The experience has provided many unforgettable moments so far, and I am thankful for the impact the title will have on my career. I look forward to continuing my work with S.Pellegrino to help find the culinary world’s best new talent and serving as a mentor to future competitors.”
The third edition of S.Pellegrino Young Chef will end in June 2018 after an 18 month process that will see candidates taking part in local and international competitions. Over the course of the 18 months, applicants will be shortlisted with qualifying candidates divided in 21 regions according to geographic origin. From the shortlist 10 semi-finalists will be chosen according to five golden rules – ingredients, skill, genius, beauty and message.
A finalist from each region will then be paired with a “Mentor Chef”, who will provide guidance and support in preparation for the grand final in Milan, Italy. The global competition includes a distinguished panel of judges known as the ‘Seven Sages’. Comprised of the most celebrated culinary masters of the world, the panel of seven will decide the winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018.
Jacques Reymond and Peter Gilmore were the Pacific region’s mentors for 2015 and 2016 respectively, while the Seven Sages have included internationally renowned chefs like Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana – the world’s current number one restaurant – and Grant Achatz, Yoshihiro Narisawa, Margot Janse, Elena Arzak, and Gaggan Anand, among many more.
Although previous years have also offered applicants the chance to work with and be mentored by the industry’s leading and most renowned chefs, this year sees the competition’s duration extended, allowing candidates more time to work side by side with their assigned mentors.
Applications are open now through to 30 April 2017, with chefs aged 30 or younger encouraged to apply promptly. The website will serve as the digital hub of the competition, while finedininglovers.com has been named the official media partner.
Follow the competition on social media with the hashtag #SPYoungChef. For more information about the four phases of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 and the five golden rules head to the competition’s website.
