Grégoire Berger wins Young Chef Africa & Middle East

Following the Africa and Middle East regional final of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016, Grégoire Berger, Chef of Restaurant Ossiano Fine Dining, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai has been named the winner and will represent the region at the Grand Final in October.

The regional competition took place at the South African's Chef Academy in Cape Town on 26 July under the scrutiny of the trio of professional chefs including; Chantel Dartnall (mentor), Meryem Cherkaoui and Christopher Lester who judged each of the ten semi-finalists on their signature dishes put up on the day.

Grégoire Berger's signature dish of “Kerguelen island legine & Cured Goose, Ponzu Insert, Potato Shell Stuffed With Agria Espuma, Roasted & Sour Jus, Artichoke and Black truffle, Shimeji, Tarragon Powder” was the dish to take gold responding most effectively to the judging criteria of the five “Golden Rules”: ingredients, skills, genius, beauty and message.

“This dish is a token of gratitude to thank all the chefs with whom I used to work. They taught me everything: from different signature products to techniques. The design is a walk in the woods in autumn, during a rainy day, my favourite atmosphere…” Berger explained of his dish.

Chef Dartnell will help Berger perfect his dish in the build up to the Grand Final:  “I’m thrilled to represent the Africa and Middle East region in Milan,” said an enthused chef Grégoire of his win. “The Grand Final in October will be a great opportunity to meet and compete against other young chefs from all over the world."