Will the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 be you? Applications are now open

UPDATE 14/05/2018: The wait is over - the winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef has finally been crowned! Discover which rising star took home the honour of winning S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 and watch all the young chefs of the competition in the 4 live streaming episodes covering the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 Grand Finale: a true display of extraordinary passion, skill and determination of the new talents in the world of gastronomy.

UPDATE 29/11/2017: All the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Local Finals are now completed and all the 21 finalists have been selected. Find out more about the finalists, look at their signature dishes and follow the interviews with their mentor chefs.

Calling all young chefs! Are you a young professional chef with a signature dish that can take you to the top? Would you like the opportunity to be a part of a global competition with individual guidance from some of the best chefs in the world? Apply online today for S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018.

In this next exciting edition of the international culinary competition, S.Pellegrino will offer talented young chefs around the globe even more opportunities to develop their skills under the mentorship of a top chef as well as gaining valuable professional visibility.

Chefs around the world, aged 30 or under, with at least one year's work experience, are invited to compete with a signature dish that will be tasted by a jury of seven world renowned chefs who will ultimately crown the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018.

Last year’s spectacular second edition saw over 3000 professional young chefs apply from around the globe, with USA’s Mitch Lienhard, under Dominique Crenn’s mentorship, scooping the prestigious title: “The experience has provided many unforgettable moments so far, and I am thankful for the impact the title will have in my career."

Below you'll find all the information on the exciting stages of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018. Be sure to apply online with your signature dish to start your international culinary journey today.

PHASE ONE – ONLINE REGISTRATION

From 1 February to 30 April, 2017, 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.

This year 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)

PHASE TWO - SELECTION OF LOCAL FINALISTS 

From 1 June all qualified candidates will be divided into 21 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 semifinalists for each geographic region, according to five “Golden Rules”:

a. INGREDIENTS: Ability to select the best ingredients that the market can offer in terms of quality, freshness and uniqueness, in order to achieve an excellence of taste.

b. SKILL: Ability to work with raw materials and turn them into a dish that respects their original essence.

c. GENIUS: Ability to explore new, challenging, and innovative perspectives in relation to the culture of fine cuisine with a personal and contemporary style, while maintaining a perfect equilibrium of taste.

d. BEAUTY: Dish presentation, giving an aesthetic enhancement of its contents.

e. MESSAGE: Ability to communicate a clear message through one's work and vision.

PHASE THREE – LOCAL COMPETITIONS 2017

From 7 June to 31 December 2017 the ten selected semi-finalists of each of the 21 geographic areas will compete in a local semi-finals round, where live competitions will be held in each region from 7 June to 31 December. 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 five Golden Rules and select a winner.

By the end of December 2017, the 21 young chefs from around the globe will be announced as the official finalists, who will move on to the world finals in Milan, Italy.

Each finalist will be assigned a mentor chef (a member of their regional jury), who will provide guidance on how to improve their signature dishes and support them in their preparation for the finals.

PHASE FOUR - THE GRAND FINALE OF S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF 2018

In May 2018 all the 21 young chef finalists will gather in Milan for the Grand Finale event hosted by S.Pellegrino. The chefs will compete for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 title, with the winner selected by the international Seven Sages panel of judges.

And make sure to follow all the action on our social channels using #SPYoungChef.

Note: Dates may change as required