The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is thrilled to unveil the Global Jury for its highly anticipated 2024-25 competition. Seven of the most influential chefs in the world of gastronomy will come together to judge the Grand Finale, where they will crown the most talented young chef under 30 years old. These esteemed chefs will evaluate signature dishes based on three essential criteria: technical mastery, creativity, and the chef’s personal philosophy about gastronomy.
World-Class Chefs on the Jury
This sixth edition of the competition will feature a prestigious panel of renowned chefs, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise:
- Christophe Bacquié – The chef and owner of La Table des Amis, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Provence, Bacquié is dedicated to passing on his culinary knowledge to the next generation. His approach is simple: “To dare is to persevere, to create.”
- Jeremy Chan – As co-founder of the two-Michelin-starred Ikoyi in London, Chan’s bold, spice-infused dishes have earned him global recognition. He encourages young chefs to push boundaries, saying, “Don’t follow the known path; make every dish unique.”
- Antonia Klugmann – Chef-owner of the one-Michelin-starred L’Argine a Vencò in Italy, Klugmann is renowned for her seasonal cuisine, inspired by the biodiversity of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. She advises aspiring chefs to constantly question their choices to avoid regret later in their careers.
- Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura – Chef of the celebrated Maido in Lima, Peru, Tsumura is known for his innovative fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. His advice to young chefs is to adopt a marathon mindset: “Be patient, learn from your mistakes.”
- Niki Nakayama – The chef behind the two-Michelin-starred n/naka in Los Angeles, Nakayama’s modern interpretation of Japanese kaiseki cuisine celebrates the beauty of nature. She encourages young chefs to stay open to learning from others, as every chef has something valuable to offer.
- Elena Reygadas – One of the most important figures in Mexican cuisine, Reygadas is the chef and owner of Rosetta in Mexico City. In 2022, she established the Elena Reygadas Scholarship, aimed at nurturing emerging culinary talents, with a focus on empowering women. Her guidance to aspiring chefs: “Keep your curiosity alive, trust your instincts, and embrace the lessons of tradition.”
- Julien Royer – The chef-owner of the three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore, Royer pays tribute to his grandmother’s influence on his cooking. He believes in the power of teamwork, saying, “A great chef is only as great as the team that supports them.”
Regional Finals and Global Grand Finale
The competition’s next stage, the Regional Finals, will run from September 2024 to January 2025. This is a key opportunity for the best young chefs, selected by ALMA, to showcase their signature dishes to a local panel of renowned chefs. These Regional Finals will determine the winners of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Award, along with three additional honours: 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 on to compete at the Grand Finale in 2025, where they will present their dishes to the Global Jury, hoping to be crowned the world’s best young chef.
