S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25 Unveils the Global Jury
Submitted by: Kaylin Van Der Vent
Meet the prestigious line-up of international chefs who will crown the best young chef in the world.
Cape Town, South Africa, 07 October 2024 – S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is proud to announce the Global Jury who will be judging the Grand Finale of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25. Seven of the most influential names in global gastronomy will be tasked with crowning the world’s most talented young chef under 30 years of age. They will evaluate the presented signature dishes based on the three Golden Rules, selecting the young chef who displays the strongest technical skills, genuine creativity, and an exceptional personal belief in gastronomy.
For the sixth edition of the initiative, the jury of world-renowned chefs is composed of:
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Christophe Bacquié, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and chief owner of two-Michelin-starred La Table des Amis in Provence. Known for his mentoring, Bacquié believes, “To dare is to persevere: to dare is to create,” encouraging future generations to push boundaries in the kitchen.
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Jeremy Chan, chef and co-founder of two-Michelin-starred Ikoyi in London. Chan, whose cuisine blends spice and flavour with personal experiences, advises young chefs to “take care of every single ingredient” to make each dish unique.
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Antonia Klugmann, chef and owner of one-Michelin-starred L’Argine a Vencò in Italy. Klugmann, a mentor to her team, encourages young chefs to question their choices constantly, ensuring they follow the right path in their careers.
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Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura, Peruvian chef and owner of Maido, recognised as the Best Restaurant in Latin America. Tsumura encourages chefs to “be patient, learn from mistakes,” viewing life as a marathon with many ups and downs.
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Niki Nakayama, American chef and owner of two-Michelin-starred n/naka in Los Angeles. Nakayama, a specialist in modern Japanese kaiseki cuisine, advises young chefs to learn from every chef, believing each has something valuable to contribute.
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Elena Reyegadas, chef and owner of Rosetta in Mexico, consistently ranked on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Reyegadas, a supporter of young culinary talents, urges young chefs to follow their instincts and stay curious.
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Julien Royer, chef-owner of three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore. Royer emphasises the importance of learning from others and creating a collaborative environment, believing that “a great chef is only as great as the team.”
Regional Finals and the Road to the Grand Finale
At this stage in the competition, the best young chefs selected by ALMA will compete in the Regional Finals, taking place between September 2024 and January 2025. These finalists will present their signature dishes to local juries of renowned chefs, competing for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Award and three additional awards: the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award, the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award, and the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award.
The regional winners will move forward to the Grand Finale in 2025, where they will showcase their skills to the Global Jury.
For more information, visit: https://www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com/
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