S.Pellegrino has launched the seventh edition of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition, the global initiative designed to identify and support the most promising young chefs under 30.
Open to applicants worldwide for four months, the competition once again invites emerging culinary talent from across the globe to step onto an international stage and help shape the future of gastronomy.
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is promoted as being more than a culinary contest. It’s described as a platform dedicated to discovering talent, fostering creativity, and supporting young chefs as they develop their own culinary voice. Through mentoring and access to influential figures in gastronomy, the academy is said to offer a “transformative” opportunity to accelerate professional journeys and gain international visibility.
The competition brings together chefs from all over the world, who are divided into 15 regions and selected by ALMA, the international school of Italian culinary arts. Shortlisted chefs then compete in 15 regional finals, with regional winners advancing to the grand finale. Throughout the competition, chefs are assessed on three key elements: technical skill, creativity, and personal belief.
As an additional benefit of being part of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, this edition also introduces a new mentorship initiative. As part of this initiative, Ardy Ferguson, global winner of the 2024-25 edition, will take part in a dedicated mentorship experience, spending three weeks working alongside two internationally renowned chefs who served on the jury in the previous edition of the competition: Julien Royer and Jeremy Chan.
Applications for the competition are now open to chefs under 30 years of age until 9 June 2026, via the official application platform. Candidates are invited to submit a signature dish that reflects their personal belief, technical skill, and creativity.
