S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25, the global initiative created by the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy aimed at discovering, nurturing, and supporting the next generation of talented chefs worldwide, is in full swing.
The local Latin America & Caribbean jury for the Regional Final, tasked with selecting and announcing the Regional Winner, has been announced:
- James Berckemeyer. With over 23 years of industry experience, James Berckemeyer has served as a chef, entrepreneur, and brand ambassador. In 2021, Cosme was recognized by Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants as number 69. In 2022, it reached number 61; in 2023, Cosme entered the top 50.
- Dolli Irigoyen: The Argentine chef, TV presenter, and author who inspired a nation to taste and cook. She judges on television shows such as “MasterChef Celebrity Argentina” and “Bake Off Argentina”. She proudly recalls presiding over the Argentine committee in the international cooking competition Bocuse d’Or. She cooked for celebrities at the Latin Grammy Awards, and this unique combination makes her such a popular winner of the Icon Award 2023.
- Janaina Torres Rueda: A Brazilian culinary powerhouse with social awareness, Janaina is a true Paulista, born and raised in downtown São Paulo and now a chef and owner of several award-winning culinary businesses in the same neighborhood where she grew up. With increased recognition for her work coming from around the world, Torres Rueda was recognized as the Best Female Chef of Latin America in 2023 and 2024 earned The World’s Best Female Chef 2024 from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
- Mario Castrellón: A Panamanian pioneer in platforms in Central America, the chef behind the acclaimed Maito in Panama City, alongside a small empire of other restaurants, is a unique visionary in a generation. Castrellón’s work as a culinary pioneer, community leader, and philanthropist are just some of the reasons behind his popularity and winner of the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2023.
- Gabriela Cámara: A Mexican entrepreneur born in Chihuahua, she founded Contramar in Mexico City in 1998, marking the beginning of a successful career in the restaurant industry. Her influence transcends the boundaries of her restaurants, becoming a prominent ambassador of Mexican gastronomy and a relevant voice on food sustainability issues.
To have an opportunity to compete in the Latin America & Caribbean Regional Final, chefs must be between the ages of 18 and 30. They must register for the competition by June 19, 2024, and include a signature dish demonstrating their talent, creativity, and vision.
Applications will be initially evaluated by ALMA (International School of Italian Culinary Arts), which will draw up the final list of competitors before the Regional Finals. During the Regional Final, jury members will evaluate the signature dishes according to the three Golden Rules, with each criterion being assigned a score from 1 to 10:
- Technical Skill: Technical proficiency throughout all process phases, from selection to preparing and cooking raw materials.
- Creativity: The ability to synthesize one’s culinary philosophy into a recipe. The ability to define one’s experience, knowledge, and professional skills in a distinct and innovative way. The ability to explore new, stimulating, and innovative perspectives with a personal and contemporary style. Maintaining a perfect balance between taste and visual appeal.
- Personal Belief: The ability to communicate one’s “credo,” world view, and culinary vision clearly through the creation of a dish that is nothing but an expression of beliefs, visions, experiences, and technical skills.
IN THE KNOW. To participate on the San Pellegrino young chef academy click here.
“My secret to success is to be authentic, not lie, bring out your identity, build community, and be real. Participating in the platform was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy changed my life; it opened doors for me and provided opportunities. That’s why I will always be grateful to the brand, because it helped me and my entire family,” says Erick Bautista, winner of the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Final in 2022.
The winners of the Regional Finals will not only gain visibility and prestige in the culinary world. Still, they will also have the opportunity to compete in the Grand Finale S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, which will take place in Milan in 2025. This is when all regional finalists gather to compete and showcase their skills.
The competition will also feature three additional awards besides the main prize: the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award, voted by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, which runs the Food Made Good program; the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award, voted on by the competition’s Mentors; and the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award voted by the Fine Dining Lovers audience.
“At S.Pellegrino, we are committed to supporting the incredible culinary community in Latin America. Through the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, we discover and support the new generation of culinary talent globally. The support of great Chefs is an essential part of the Academy, and today we are extremely proud to announce these great names as the next Regional Jury,” declared Matteo Urru, Regional Area Manager of Latin America, Caribbean & Cruiselines.
