Save
Are you a chef, aged 30 years old or under with a year’s industry experience and an incredible signature dish that represents your unique skills and creativity? Then join the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2020 challenge and apply online for the world’s biggest talent search to find the best young chef in the world!
The global competition with ongoing mentorship from some of the best chefs in the world, even more opportunities to develop skills and invaluable professional visibility, globally than any other.
This new edition also comes with several changes on previous years, there will be 12 global regions competing, more mentorship and more awards to be won. Click here to discover all the changes.
Thousands of chefs from all over the world have already experienced the thrill of the past three editions of the competition where life long friendships have been formed and professional careers changed. Japan’s Yasuhiro Fujio was crowned winner at the Grand Finale in Milan. Do you have the talent to follow in his footsteps?
Here are the phases to know about ahead of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2020:
- Phase 1 Online Applications can be made from 4 February to 30 April 2019
- Phase 2 ALMA will make the Global Shortlist: 1 May – 31 May 2019
- Phase 3 Regional finals will be held around the world: 21 June – 31 December 2019
- Phase 4 Grand Finale: S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2020 – June tbd
PHASE 1: APPLICATIONS VIA ONLINE REGISTRATION
From today, 4 February, to 30 April 2019, young chefs, aged 30 years or younger, around the world will have the opportunity to apply online, including details of a first or second course signature dish.
Candidates must also answer the following questions: “What are your professional dreams for the future?” “All great chefs have cause and cooking as part of their work. What would you like to contribute to the gastronomy world within your career? “How does your dish represent these personal beliefs?”
English will remain the official language throughout the competition and for the Grand Finale. However, in order to expedite the application process, applications can be made in different languages, including: French, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin (Only for China full registration can be sent in Chinese Mandarin to: sanpellegrinoYoungChefChina@waters.nestle.com)
Find all the information you need to know about how to apply.
PHASE 2: ALMA GLOBAL SHORTLIST SELECTION
From 1 May all qualified candidates will be divided into 12 regions according to their geographic location of their restaurant.
Submissions will then be evaluated by ALMA, the world’s leading international educational and training centre for Italian Cuisine, which will select the top 10-15 most talented young chefs in each geographic region based on the “Golden Rules”:
- TECHNICAL SKILLS Ability to select the finest ingredients combined with technical skills that bring out the flavours of the ingredients
- CREATIVITY Original, stimulating and innovative perspectives with a personal and contemporary style, a perfect balance of flavour and aesthetics
- PERSONAL BELIEF Communication of a clear vision in relation to the notion of social gastronomy
The Global Shortlist of semi-finalists will then be announced on 7 June 2019.
PHASE 3: THE REGIONAL FINALS
From 21 June 2019, the selected semi-finalists of each of the 12 regions will compete in a series of challenging Regional Finals with the support of a professional chef mentor.
During each regional final, held in locations around the world, the semi-finalists will cook their signature dishes for a regional jury of independent top chefs. They will decide the fate of each finalist by evaluating the presented signature dishes based on the three Golden Rules to select a regional winner, as well as a winner of each of the following awards: The Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award, the S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility, and the Acqua Panna Award for Connection in Gastronomy.
By the end of December 2019, the 12 best young chefs in the world will be announced as Regional Finalists, as well as 12 for each of the other three awards.
See the Awards section for further information.
PHASE 4: THE GRAND FINALE OF S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF 2020
The 12 Regional Finalists will present their signature dishes at the Grand Finale in 2020 where they will compete head to head for the chance to win the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2020 title in front of the Seven Sages, a panel of some of the best chefs in the world and fans around the world.
There will also be three other awards up for the winning, to be presented at the Grand Finale.
What Next?
Find more information on the application process and the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2020 online application form here. Be sure to read the full regulations before applying.
Note that dates, final location of the Grand Finale may be subject to change: any variation will be notified on the website and on social channels.
Follow finedininglovers on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on all the exciting news from S.Pellegrino Young Chef #SPYoungChef
