S.Pellegrino Young Chef regional finalists announced

The months of waiting are almost over and the global talent search that is the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition 2022-23 is getting ready to kick off in earnest once again with the announcement of the regional finalists who will soon be competing around the world. If you want to know more, check out the full list of competitors, find out who is on each panel of judges, and discover the dates and further details of the regional finals. 

A total of 15 regional finals - from Canada to the USA and Latin America, from Europe to the UK, from China to the Pacific - will give talented young chefs all over the world a chance to compete for a place in the Grand Finale in 2023. Alongside the race for the title of World's Best Young Chef, the chefs in each regional final will also have the chance to compete for three additional prizes. These are the S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility, voted for by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, the Acqua Panna Award for Connection in Gastronomy, voted for by the competition mentors, and the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award, voted for online by readers of Fine Dining Lovers, the e-magazine sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. Voting for this award opens before the regional finals and closes a few days before the Grand Finale. Find out how to vote on Fine Dining Lovers.

What's more, building on the success of the Brain Food Forum hosted by Fine Dining Lovers at last year's Grand Finale, many regional finals this year will include a Fine Dining Lovers Forum to provide additional food for thought for all those following the competition.

Currently in its 5th edition, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition has become one of global gastronomy’s outstanding events, giving talented young chefs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop their skills and create an international professional network.

The winners of the regional finals will go on to compete in the Grand Finale in Milan in 2023, where their signature dishes will be evaluated by a Grand Jury of "Seven Sages". The sages for this edition are Pía León of Kjolle restaurant in Lima, Riccardo Camanini of Lido 84 in Gardone Riviera, Italy, Héléne Darroze of The Connaught in London, Vicky Lau of the Tate Dining Room in Hong Kong, Julien Royer of Odette in Singapore, Nancy Silverton of Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, and finally Eneko Atxa of Azurmendi in Larrabetzu, Bilbao. Read more about the Seven Sages.

Alongside the title of World's Best Young Chef, the global winners of the three additional prizes will also be announced at the Grand Finale event.

For every regional finalist, this is the start of an inspiring and educational journey, where talent knows no boundaries. We wish them all good luck, and look forward to seeing the winners in Milan in 2023!