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The world's biggest talent search for the best young chef is already underway with the launch of the fourth edition of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2019/20.
The applications closed on 30 April and ALMA culinary school are working on a Global Shortlist of 10 chef candidates per region which will be announced on 7 June 2019.
The shortlisted chefs will then compete in their respective regional finals, which will take place around the world, over a six month period, between 21 June and 31 December 2019.
These 12 regional heats will be judged by a panel of world-class professional chefs known as the "local jury." It will be the local jury's responsibility to select the best young chef in the region, who will ultimately represent the region at the Grand Finale in June 2020.
As each of these local juries is formed we will bring you the exciting news of the line-up. This year's competition is all about mentorship and growth, so the chance to work with and be mentored by some of the best chefs in the world will be invaluable those young chefs lucky enough to compete in this round. Here's a reminder of all the local juries from last year.
Stay tuned as we bring you the updated news of the names of each of the chefs forming the local juries as well as the details of the local competition. The first region to have already revealed their local jury is North West Europe.
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Local Juries and Finals
Pacific
(Australia, New Zealand)
The regional final took place in Sydney on 26 August 2019.
Jose Lorenzo Morales from Lûmé in Melbourne named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Pacific Region winner. The Commis Chef will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan in 2020. Peter Gilmore from Quay restaurant in Sidney will serve as Jose's mentor to the Grand Finale.
Ten hopeful semi-finalists from across New Zealand and Australia faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, of five professional chefs; Peter Gilmore (Quay, Bennelong), Jock Zonfrillo (Restaurant Orana, Bistro Blackwood), Danielle Alvarez (Fred’s). Dan Hunter (Brae) and Christine Manfield (Leader in the culinary industry) for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Pacific Region Winner
Jose Lorenzo Morales - Commis Chef, Lûmé in Melbourne: Analogy of roasted lechón pork belly, shrimp bogoong paste, pandan rice cracker, latik caramel, and tamarind powder
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility Award
Kezia Kristel – Chef de Partie, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar (Sydney): Experiencing mushrooms in flavours and savoury carrot tart
Acqua Panna Award
James Bond-Kennedy – Sous Chef, Restaurant IGNI (South Geelong, VIC): Great ocean duck, and its seasonal feed!
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Abhijit Dey – Sous Chef, SO Auckland (Auckland): Horopito cured wild venison cooked over Kanuka wood, Karamu berries and feijoa cream with celeriac and Melson Valley saffron reduction
Asia
(Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand)
The regional final took place in Tokyo on 10 September 2019 .
Victor/Zhi Cheng Wang from Table Black in Shanghai, China was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Asia Region winner. The sous chef will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Julien Royer from Odette restaurant in Singapore, #1 of the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list, will serve as Kevin's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Daniele Cason (Japan), Garima Arora (India), Julien Royer (Singapore), Hyun Seok Choi (South Korea) and Shoko Hirase (Japan), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Asia Region Winner
Kevin Wong - Sous Chef, Meta Restaurant (Singapore): Celebration of a Duck
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility Award
Muhammad Afif Adnanta Nasution - Teatro Gastroteque (Bali): Smoked Java Mackerel with Batak Sauce
Acqua Panna Award
Tor Aik Chua - Restaurant Zén (Singapore): Whole Kinmedai With Malaysian Elements
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Karan Upmanyu - Toast and Tonic (India): Shades of the Desert
Iberian & Mediterranean Countries
(Spain, Greece, Israel and Portugal)
The regional final took place in Barcelona, Spain on 16 September 2019.
Albert Manso from Tickets bar in Barcelona was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Iberian & Mediterranean Countries Region winner. The sous chef will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Henrique Sa Pessoa from Alma restaurant in Lisbon will serve as Albert's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Lucia Freitas (Spain), Fina Puigdevall (Spain), Henrique Sa Pessoa (Portugal), Ettore Botrini (Greece) and Orel Kimchi (Israel), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Iberian & Mediterranean Countries Region Winner
Albert Manso - Sous Chef, Tickets bar (Barcelona): Quail and wine
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility Award
Mengxin Zhou from from Igualada, Spain: The Trout – Schubert
Acqua Panna Award
Oscar Dayas Rodriguez from Gran Cararia in Spain: The transhumance, from the coast to the summit
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Andrea Ravasio from Adeje, Spain: Peasant’s Sunday
Latin America
(Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico)
The regional final took place in Lima, Peru on 17 September 2019.
Cynthia Xrysw Ruelas Diaz from Xokol restaurant in Guadalajara, Mexico was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Latin America Region winner. The 25-year-old chef will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Elena Reygadas from Rosetta restaurant in Mexico City will serve as Cynthia's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Jefferson Rueda (Brazil), Carolina Bazan (Chile), Harry Sasson (Colombia), Elena Reygadas (Mexico) and Pia Leon (Peru), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Latin America Region Winner
Cynthia Xrysw Ruelas Diaz from Xokol restaurant in Guadalajara, Mexico: Milpa y Mar
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility Award
Sebastián Pinzón Giraldo - Chef from Celele Restaurante by Proyecto Cribe Lab in Cartagena, Columbia: Cured Fish "Jurel" With Green Mango Spaghetti, Lacto Fermented Mandarin Lemon And Cold Infusion Of Sour Guava
Acqua Panna Award
Abraham Almazán - Chef from the Culinary Institute of Mexico (ICUM) in Puebla, Mexico: A Day in the Sierra Negra
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Eliodoro Xicum - Chef from Restaurant La Villa in Mérida, Mexico: Nohoch Ná (Gizzards Tamale With Cooked In Ash)
Central Europe
(Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland)
The regional final took place in Hamburg, Germany on 23 September 2019.
Levente Koppány, the sous chef from Salon Restaurant in Budapest, Hungary was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Central Europe Region winner. The 27-year-old chef will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Chef András Wolf will serve as Levente's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Cornelia Poletto (Germany), Tim Raue (Germany), Tristan Brandt (Germany), Kostantin Filippou (Austria), Iwona Niemczewska (Poland), Marcin Popielarz (Poland), Eszter Palágyi (Hungary), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Central Europe Region Winner
Levente Koppány, sous chef from Salon Restaurant in Budapest, Hungary: Rainbow trout with chervil, forest mushrooms and wild garlic
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility
AwardJana Stöger, from the PIER 51 Restaurant & Bar, Stuttgart, Germany: As A Child In Tirol
Acqua Panna Award
Łukasz Moneta, from Nolita Restaurant in Warsaw, Poland: Sturgeon And Snails
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Krzysztof Konieczny, from Sztuczka Bistro in Sopot, Poland: Jerusalem Artichoke "Fish"
Euro Asia
(Russian Federation, Finland, Latvia)
The regional final took place in Moscow, Russia on 9 October 2019.
Vitalii Savelev, the sous chef from Twins Garden in Moscow, Russia was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Euro Asia Region winner and he will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Chef Adrian Quetglas will serve as Vitalii's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Vladimir Mukhin (Russia), Aram Mnastakanov (Russia), Nino Graziano (Russia), Adrian Quetglas (Russia), Angelica Udeküll (Estonia), Linnea Vihonen (Finlandia), Inga Paernum (Estonia), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Euro Asia Region Winner
Vitalii Savelev, sous chef from Twins Garden in Moscow, Russia: Black Sea Rapa with Mushrooms grown on lemon peels
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility
Ivan Kamenev from Richter in Moscow, Russia: I found that in the garden
Acqua Panna Award
Lari Helenius, from Restaurant OLO in Helsinki, Finland: Different parts of cod, grilled butter, jellied oyster, crispy "muesli" made of grains and cod skin and creamy fish sauce
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Egor Makarov, from Kopernik Restaurant in Moscow, Russia: Russian Seafood
North West Europe
(France, Belgium, Switzerland)
The regional final took place in Paris, France on 9 October 2019.
Alexandre Alves Pereira, the sous chef from from restaurant Lasserre in Paris, France was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef North West Europe Region winner and he will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Chef Anne-Sophie Pic will serve as Alexandre's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Anne-Sophie Pic (Pic à Valence, France) - mentor, David Martin (La Paix à Anderlecht, Belgium), Heiko Nieder (Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef North West Europe Region Winner
Alexandre Alves Pereira, the sous chef from from restaurant Lasserre in Paris, France: Green asparagus, sardine, ground ivy
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility
Kitano Yurika, chef at restaurant Margo à Paris, France: Spring is everywhere with Normandy
Acqua Panna Award
Vivien Rouleaud, chef de partie at restaurant Le Chabichou à Courchevel: Beginning Of Spring...Squab Returns!
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Evens Lopez, chef de partie at restaurant Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse à l'Hôtel de Paris, Monte Carlo: Homard bleu tiède, pain de blé truffier goût marin et artichaut farci
Africa and Middle East
(UAE, Lebanon, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey)
The regional final took place in Capetown, South Africa on 14 October 2019.
Paul Thinus Prinsloo, chef de partie at The Restaurant at Waterkloof in Cape Town, South Africa was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Africa and Middle East Region winner and he will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Chef Gregory Czarnecki will serve as Paul's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Youssef Akiki (Lebanon), Myriam Ettahri (Morocco), Michelle Theron (South Africa), Gregoire Berger (United Arab Emirates), Maksut Aşkar (Turkey), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Africa and Middle East Region Winner
Paul Thinus Prinsloo, chef de partie at The Restaurant at Waterkloof in Cape Town, South Africa: Bouillabaisse 2.0
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility
Callan Austin from Le coin Français in Cape Town, South Africa: The Ghost Net
Acqua Panna Award
Elissa Abou Tasse from Ritage by Maroun Chedid in Beirut, Lebanon: Adam’s Garden
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Marcus Gericke from Qunu Restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa: Remembrance (Quail Consommé)
Italy and South East Europe
(Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia)
The regional final took place in Milan, Italy on 21 October 2019.
Alessandro Bergamo, the sous chef at Cracco restaurant in Milan, Italy was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Italy and South East Europe Region winner and he will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Chef Antonia Klugmann from L'Argine a Vencò restaurant will serve as Alessandro's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Pino Cuttaia (La Madia, Licata, Italy), Matias Perdomo (Contraste, Milan, Italy), Antonia Klugmann (L’Argine a Vencò, Dolegna del Collio - Gorizia, Italy), Marianna Vitale (Sud Ristorante, Quarto - Naples, Italy), Janez Bratovž (JB Restaurant, Lubiana, Slovenia), Ana Grgić (Zinfandel's Restaurant, Zagabria, Croatia), Oana Coantă (Bistro de l’Arte in Brasov, in Transilvania Romania), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Italy and South East Europe Region Winner
Alessandro Bergamo, sous chef at Cracco restaurant in Milan, Italy: Better an egg today or a chicken tomorrow?
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility
Davide Marzullo, sous chef of The Market Place in Como, Italy: Aubergine dish in black tie
Acqua Panna Award
Tommaso Tonioni, ex-sous chef of the restaurant Il Pagliaccio in Rome, Italy: Lol "eel" pop - honey from the beach & potatoes from the lake
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Antonio Romano, sous chef of Attimi by Heinz Beck CityLife in Milan, Italy: Roma Locuta
North America
(USA and Canada)
The regional final took place in New York, USA on 4 November 2019.
Rafael Covarrubias, chef at Hexagon restaurant in Oakville, Canada was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef North America Region winner and he will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Chef Connie DeSousa will serve as Rafael's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Ashley Christensen (North Carolina), Connie DeSousa (Canada), Rob Gentile (Canada), Jordana Rothman (New York), Michael Solomonov (Pennsylvania), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef North America Region Winner
Rafael Covarrubias, chef at Hexagon restaurant in Oakville, Canada: Mole spiced muscovy duck, preserved prune and winter roots
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility
Kathryn Ferries, chef de partie at Stofa restaurant in Ottawa, Canada: Forest honey glazed rabbit ballotine with fennel, chanterelles & mustard greens
Acqua Panna Award
Jeremy Stephens, sous chef at Galatoires in New Orleans, United States: Crawfish boil
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Marvin Palomo, chef at 7 Enoteca in Oakville, Canada: Dungeness crab Chawanmushi
UK and North Europe
(UK, Ireland, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark)
The regional final took place in London, Uk on 12 Novemeber 2019.
Jerome Ianmark Calayag, chef at Restaurant Portal in Stockholm, Sweden was named S.Pellegrino Young Chef UK and North Europe Region winner and he will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan. Chef David Ljungqvist will serve as Jerome's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Monica Galetti (UK), Adam Byatt (UK), Estee Strooker (Netherlands), Jess Murphy (Ireland), Frida Ronge (Sweden), Bjorn Svensson (Norway), for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef UK and North Europe Region Winner
Jerome Ianmark Calayag, chef at Restaurant Portal in Stockholm, Sweden: Humble vegetables
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility
Pippa Lovell, sous chef at Little fish at the bay in Port Erin, Man Island: What she found
Acqua Panna Award
Timothée Martin-Nadaud, sous chef at The Greenhouse in London, UK: The world is your oyster
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Nicolas Fagundes Galindo, chef de partie at Chapter one in Dublin, Ireland: Flavors and textures of palm and ox tongue
Greater China
The regional final took place in Shangai, China on 21 November 2019.
Victor/Zhi Cheng Wang from Lûmé in Melbourne named S.Pellegrino Young Chef Greater China Region winner. The Commis Chef will now represent the region at the Grand Finale in Milan in 2020. Chef Zhengxiang Dong will serve as Victor's mentor to the Grand Finale.
The semi-finalists faced off at the live cooking competition presenting their signature dishes to the local jury, gathering Umberto Bombana (Hong Kong), Qiu Qiong (China), Richie Lin (Taiwan), Chen Lanshu (Taiwan), Da Dong (China) and Vicky Lau for adjudication.
Below, the list of the winners:
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Greater China Region Winner
Victor/Zhi Cheng Wang - Commis Chef, Table Black in Shanghai, China: What is soy in China
S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility Award
Pin-Jui Su - Chef, The Moment in Taipei, Taiwan: After rain
Acqua Panna Award
Ho Lam Shek - Chef de partie, Hong Kong Club in Hong Kong: Stuffed and marinated Chinese golden thread bream, fermented grains, celtuce, Chenpi oil
Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award
Ingrid Gonçalves - Chef de partie, Veda Restaurant - Ovolo Group in Hong Kong: Between the flavours
