S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2019-2020 Applications Now Open!

Are you aged 30 years or under, have worked in the industry for at least one year? Moreover, are you a young professional chef who has a signature dish that communicates your personal vision, unique skills, and creativity?

Take the opportunity to be a part of a global competition with individual guidance from some of the most renowned chefs in the world. Apply online today for S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2019-2020.

In this exciting new edition of the international culinary talent program, S.Pellegrino will offer talented young chefs around the globe even more opportunities to develop their skills with mentorship from the very beginning stages of the competition as well as gain valuable professional visibility.

Thousands of chefs from all over the world have passed through the past three editions of the competition. Last year saw Japan’s Yasuhiro Fujio take the coveted title at the Grand Finale held in Milan. Under the guidance of mentor chef Luca Fantin, Fujio’s signature dish won over the Seven Sages, that consisted of the world’s top stars of gastronomy: Virgilio Martínez, Margarita Forés, Brett Graham, Annie Féolde, Dominique Crenn, Anna Roš and Paul Pairet.

S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2019-2020 will develop in the following phases.

• Phase 1 – Applications: 4 February – 30 April 2019
• Phase 2 – ALMA Global Shortlist selection: 1 May – 31 May 2019
• Phase 3 – Regional finals: 21 June – 31 December 2019
• Phase 4 – Grand Finale: 29-30 October 2021

PHASE 1: APPLICATIONS VIA ONLINE REGISTRATION

From 4 February to 30 April, 2019, young chefs, aged 30 years or younger, around the world have the opportunity to submit an application and their signature dish. Check the updated competition rules to verify your eligibility.

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 at Applications. 

PHASE 2: ALMA GLOBAL SHORTLIST SELECTION

From 1 May all qualified candidates will be divided into 12 regions according to their geographic origin. 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 semifinalists for each geographic Region, according to three “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

Find all the Rules here.

The Global Shortlist will 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 Regional Finals. During these events, the semi-finalists will cook their signature dishes for an exclusive regional jury, composed of independent top chefs who will evaluate the presented dishes based on the three Golden Rules and select a winner of each Region, as well as a winner of each of the following awards: the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thoughts 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 young chefs from around the globe as Regional Finalists will be announced, as well as 12 for each of the other three awards. See under the Awards section for further information.

PHASE 4: THE GRAND FINALE OF S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF 2019-2020

The 12 Regional Finalists will cook and present their signature dishes at the Grand Finale in October 2021, hosted by S.Pellegrino. The chefs will compete to win the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2019-2020 title.

The final winner for each of the other three awards mentioned above will also be presented at the Grand Finale.

Find more information on the application process and the 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 S.Pellegrino on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on all the developments of S.Pellegrino Young Chef, plus be inspired by the world of style, culture, and gastronomy through the eyes of S.Pellegrino.

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