The global hunt for the next culinary trailblazer has begun as the seventh edition of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition opens applications worldwide. Designed to spotlight chefs under 30, the initiative invites the brightest emerging talents to step forward, share their culinary vision and compete on one of gastronomy’s most respected international stages.
Open for four months, the competition is widely regarded as a career-defining opportunity — not just for the title, but for the doors it opens.
A Platform That Goes Beyond Winning
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is more than a contest. It is a global platform dedicated to nurturing talent, encouraging creativity and supporting young chefs as they shape their own culinary identity. Through mentorship, professional exposure and access to influential figures in gastronomy, participants gain tools that can accelerate their careers long after the competition ends.
Judging is based on three essential pillars: technical skill, creativity, and personal belief — ensuring that chefs are recognised not only for how well they cook, but for what they stand for.
From Local Kitchens to a Global Final
Chefs are selected from 15 regions worldwide, with initial candidates shortlisted by ALMA, the International School of Italian Culinary Arts. These chefs then compete in Regional Finals, with winners advancing to the prestigious Grand Finale, where their dishes are judged by an international panel of acclaimed chefs.
In addition to the main title, participants also compete for three collateral awards celebrating social responsibility, culinary heritage, and the power of personal belief expressed through food.
Mentorship at the Heart of the Academy
This edition introduces a strengthened mentorship initiative, underlining the Academy’s long-term commitment to young chefs. As part of the programme, Ardy Ferguson, Global Winner of the 2024–25 edition, will spend three weeks working alongside celebrated chefs Julien Royer of Odette and Jeremy Chan of Ikoyi — offering a powerful glimpse of what awaits those who take part.
How to Apply
Applications are open to chefs under 30 from 16 February to 9 June 2026. Candidates must submit a signature dish that reflects their skills, creativity and culinary philosophy.
For young chefs with ambition, conviction and something to say through food, the search for the next S.Pellegrino Young Chef is officially on.
More details and applications are available at http://www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com
