The Competition

HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS

This is a brief summary of information related to the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2022-23. If you wish to participate, you must read the Full Regulations and Annex, in order to be fully aware of all specific rules and requirements.

PHASE 1. ONLINE REGISTRATION Participants must submit their Signature Dish recipe according to the Regulations and Annex 1. The recipe must be the same throughout all phases of the competition.

PHASE 2. REGIONAL SHORTLIST A shortlist of candidates shall be drawn up for each Region (see Regulations and Annex 1). These candidates will access the subsequent phase of the venture. A judging panel made up of independent members of ALMA (an authoritative international training centre for Italian cuisine) will assess applications on the basis of the following three criteria (Golden Rules), for each of which jury members shall assign a score between one and 10.

1. TECHNICAL SKILLS: Ability to select the finest ingredients in terms of quality, freshness and uniqueness, to obtain an excellent taste, combined with technical skills that bring out the flavours of the ingredients, whilst maintaining their original essence.

2. CREATIVITY: Ability to explore original, stimulating, and innovative perspectives with a personal and contemporary style, whilst maintaining a perfect balance between flavour and aesthetic appearance.

3. PERSONAL BELIEF: Ability to communicate a clear message that summarises the “vision” of their work, their vision of the world of food and their contribution to today’s society in general through food.

PHASE 3: REGIONAL FINALS

The Signature Dishes of the shortlisted participants at each Regional Final shall be assessed by a local jury of national and/or regionally renowned chefs, on the basis of the three criteria mentioned in the previous paragraph. They will assign a score between one and 10 for each criterion. Based on the sum of the scores assigned to each candidate for each of the above-mentioned criteria, the local jury shall identify a winner. The first placed candidate shall be assigned the title of “Regional Finalist” and shall qualify for the Grand Finale in Milan. A “Mentor” chef shall support each selected finalist.

During the Regional Finals, three other Special Awards shall also be assigned:

1. S.PELLEGRINO AWARD FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Voted for by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, which runs Food Made Good, the largest foodservice sustainability programme and global community for driving sustainability in hospitality, the winning dish will represent the principle that food is at its best when the result of socially responsible practices encompassing sourcing, and social and environmental requirements. Submissions to this award are judged according to eight criteria: resource use, climate impact, biodiversity, food waste, nutrition, collaboration, advocacy, and innovation.

2. FINE DINING LOVERS FOOD FOR THOUGHT AWARD

Voted for by the online Fine Dining Lovers community, this award will go to the Young Chef who presents the dish that is most consistent with the personal belief that inspires her/him.

3. ACQUA PANNA AWARD FOR CONNECTION IN GASTRONOMY

Voted for by the Mentors, the winner of this award must produce a dish that represents the culinary heritage of her/his Region. The dish should highlight both these traditional culinary practices and the Young Chef’s personal modern vision, providing a connection between the past and the future.

PHASE 4: GRAND FINALE

During the Grand Finale only the 15 Regional Finalists of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Award shall cook their Signature Dishes, which will be assessed by seven internationally renowned chefs (“Grand Jury”).

The assessment will be based on the three criteria already mentioned (Golden Rules), for each of which they shall assign a score from one to 10. Based on the sum of the scores acquired by each Regional Finalist, a ranking shall be drawn up, and the first placed participant shall be the overall winner. The winner will be awarded the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Award 2022-23.

In the same evening, the Acqua Panna Award for Connection in Gastronomy, Fine Dining Lovers’ Food for Thought Award and S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility shall also be awarded.

The Grand Finale is scheduled to take place by October 2023 in Milan. However, the dates and venue of the Grand Finale (as well as the Regional Finals) may be subject to change owing to the Covid-19 health emergency.

PLEASE READ THE FULL REGULATIONS AND ANNEX CAREFULLY

Download the Competition’s Full Regulation in other languages (PDF):
Italian | Spanish | French | Chinese | German | Japanese | Portuguese