Calling All Young Chefs! The Fifth Edition of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is Now Accepting Applications
The COVID-19 pandemic closures and restrictions inflicted a devastating impact on Canada’s culinary community and challenged the livelihoods of chefs nationwide. Unsurprisingly, the pandemic hit young chefs the hardest as many were laid off or left with job insecurity & limited opportunities due to pandemic challenges.
As a proud supporter of the chef and restaurant community, S.Pellegrino remains committed to supporting the future of the culinary industry and is now calling on all emerging young chefs across Canada to enter the 2022/23 S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Regional Competition. The competition, now in its fifth year, offers young chefs an inspiring and educational experience that provides national visibility and professional prestige.
“The competition and the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy support the culinary community and chefs of tomorrow by offering mentorship, guidance and supporting creativity and inclusivity in the world of gastronomy,” says Paul De Larzac, President of Nestle Waters Canada.
Over the course of the Regional Competition, the finalists will take part in live cook-offs in front of a panel of esteemed Canadian jurors who will provide feedback based on unrivaled technical skill, genuine creativity, and strong personal belief along with the candidate’s ability to create positive change in society through food.
The winner from the Regional Competition will go on to compete in the Global Grand Finale in 2023, the biggest international young chef competition to date, and officially be in the running for the coveted title of the ‘S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Award 2022-23’. The international competition allows the next generation of chefs to make their mark in the world of gastronomy and give them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cook for some of the world’s most renowned chefs and have access to a global culinary community.
Both the Regional and Global components provide emerging chefs with a unique opportunity to learn, interact and be mentored by esteemed chefs. Last year, North America was represented by Canadian chef Rafael Covarrubias, from Hexagon in Oakville, during the Grand Finale. Chef Rafael placed a strong 5th across a competitive set of top young chefs and had the chance to be mentored by one of Calgary’s best-known Chefs, Connie Desousa as well as the opportunity to attend global workshops and network with Michelin chefs Massimo Bottura & Enrico Bartolini.
The competition remains to be a highlight in the gastronomy world and is an initiative of S.Pellegrino’s Young Chef Academy, an inspiring international community which aims to identify, connect and nurture the next generation of chefs, no matter where they are from, their gender or their ethnicity.
Young chefs between 18-30 years of age with at least one year of restaurant experience can apply for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Regional Competition 2022/23 online at www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com from now until May 31, 2022. Chefs that apply will need to provide personal and professional information and submit the recipe for their signature dish which should communicate their personal vision, unique skills, and creativity.
To learn more or to submit your application please visit: www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com