Who will be the world’s best young chef? The S.Pellegrino Young Chef AcademyGrand Finale is happening this October!
Launched in 2015, the global competition celebrates the extraordinary creativity, vision, and skill of young chefs, underscoring their potential to drive positive change and create a better world through food. The 2024-25 edition’s grand finals will be held in Milan on Oct. 28 and 29, with 15 finalists vying for the prestigious title. These promising chefs under 30 came from all over the world, with over 165 chefs having competed in the Regional Finals.
The regional champions will be presenting their signature dishes at the finals to an international jury of acclaimed culinary masters, which includes Christophe Bacquié, Jeremy Chan, Antonia Klugmann, Mitsuharu "Micha" Tsumura, Niki Nakayama, Elena Reygadas, andJulien Royer. Dishes will be evaluated based on technical expertise, creative flair, and the potential to drive positive change through gastronomy.
Apart from the coveted main title of S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Award, this competition will also be presenting additional recognitions such as the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award, the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award, and the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award.
Among this year’s 15 regional finalists is Young Chef Ardy Ferguson of BELON restaurant in Hong Kong, who will be representing the Asia region. Mentored by Chef Vicky Lau, of TATE Dining Room, Ardy won the Regional Finals last year with his dish “Archipelago Celebration,” which pays homage to Indonesian and Hong Kong cuisines. This impressive dish was inspired by the young chef’s multicultural upbringing and featured a base of nasi tumpeng, a ceremonial Javanese rice dish, paired with Cantonese-inspired duck lacquered in red wine vinegar and smoked with sugar cane.
“As the Grand Finale approaches, I’ve been busy preparing with plenty of practice runs. Getting up at 6 AM, doing the full 5-hour competition, and then breaking it down with my mentor, Chef Vicky Lau, to see where we can improve and streamline ourselves for Milan,” shared Asia Grand Finalist Chef Ardy Ferguson. “It's been an amazing experience so far, and I’m very grateful to S.Pellegrino for the opportunities the Young Chef competition has afforded me. I’m looking forward to meeting the other young, talented chefs from around the world and learning a thing or two from them.”
“The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an incredible platform for young chefs like Ardy, offering invaluable learning and global exposure,” added Chef Vicky Lau of TATE Dining Room Hong Kong. “Mentoring him has been a fantastic experience. Ardy’s dedication is inspiring, and I have every confidence he will make us proud as the Asia Grand Finalist in Milan.”
Last year, Chef Nelson Freitas emerged as the competition’s winner under the guidance of Virgilio Martínez of Central, which was named the World’s Best Restaurant in 2023. Following his victory, he joined the Central team, with his journey captured in “Afuera Hay Más – A Young Chef’s Journey.” This documentary highlighted how the Academy not only nurtures rising talent but also helps shape the future of gastronomy.
You can check out the full list of finalists here.
For more information and updates, follow S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Grand Finale on Facebook and Instagram.
