S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is the global initiative to discover and mentor the most promising and talented young chefs. The Competition has invited the world’s most talented chefs under 30 years old to apply.
The Competition is much more than a culinary contest however, partaking in the initiative means joining the ambitious S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy project to make the world a better place through food. The participants will have a unique opportunity to join an international community and be empowered through education, mentoring, networking, and career opportunities. During the course of the Competition, they will be mentored closely by world-renowned chefs who will help them bring their vision for the future to the table and their culinary skills to the next level.
In 2015 Irish chef Mark Moriarty won the international competition and has since established himself as an award-winning Chef, TV Host and Author.
Mark said, “Winning the SPYCA award was a massive accolade in my career. Not only was I able to represent myself, but Irish food as a whole. Winning the competition has opened up numerous avenues that would not have been possible before. I have cooked and dined in some of the best restaurants around the world while developing a network of chefs on every continent. Parallel to this, I built my business to include everything from restaurants and private dining to global events, brand partnerships, food writing, TV shows and cookbooks. I cannot recommend this competition enough for ambitious chefs with the talent and vision to build a career that works for them, and showcases the Irish hospitality industry on a global stage”
Applying chefs must be under 30 years of age and can register via the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition website. The application process closes on the 19th of June 2024. Chefs can apply by submitting the recipe of a signature dish that communicates their vision, unique skills, and creativity. As with previous editions, the first selection phase will be evaluated by ALMA, the International School of Italian Culinary Arts. ALMA will define a shortlist of young chefs who will participate in the Regional Finals that will take place across the globe through the second half of 2024.
“The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is a global community that was born to convey S.Pellegrino’s commitment to shaping the future of gastronomy by investing in values such as sustainability, responsibility, inclusivity, resilience and beauty, and the Competition is the main access to it. The last edition marked a record in participation with over 166 chefs passing the preliminary selections amongst the 15 regions involved. Seeing so many young talents willing to bring their best through hard work and passion, and to see them join our mission makes us proud. This makes us believe even more in this project and we can’t wait for the new edition to start,” said Stefano Bolognese, Sanpellegrino's International Business Unit Director.
Regional winners will compete at the Grand Finale event to win the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Award 2024-25. To win the title, the chefs must impress the global Grand Jury – a panel of internationally renowned chefs – by demonstrating unrivalled technical abilities as well as true creativity. The winning talent should also display a strong personal belief regarding gastronomy, to convince the Jury of their ability to become a catalyst for positive change. The last edition saw Portugal’s Nelson Freitas triumph, emerging as the best chef in the world under 30.
During the Competition, applicants will also compete for three additional awards which will recognise young chefs' varied beliefs and approaches to creating positive societal change through food:
• S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award: voted for by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, which runs Food Made Good, the largest foodservice sustainability program and global community for driving sustainability in hospitality, the winning dish will represent the principle that food is at its best when it's the result of socially responsible practices, encompassing sourcing, social and environmental requirements;
• Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award: voted for by Mentors, the winner will produce a dish representing the culinary heritage of the chef’s native region. The dish should highlight traditional culinary practices and personal modern vision, providing a connection between the past and the future;
• Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award: voted for by the online Fine Dining Lovers community, this award will be for the young chef who best represents their personal beliefs with a signature dish;
To learn more about the initiative please visit: sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com
Keep up to date by following S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy on social at @spyoungchefacademy
Slán go fóill.