S.PELLEGRINO RETURNS - CALLING YOUNG CHEFS IN THE UAE FOR THE YOUNG CHEF AWARD
MEA SEMIFINALS SET TO TAKE PLACE IN DUBAI FOR THE FIRST TIME
Dubai, February 27, 2017 – S.Pellegrino Young Chef Award is back for the third year to find the world's best young chef.
Young chefs from around the world, including the UAE, are invited to submit an application with their signature dish at www.sanpellegrino.com, which will serve as the new digital hub of the competition. Applying chefs must be 30-years-old or younger and have at least one year of experience working in a restaurant as a chef, sous chef or chef de partie. The submission form and process have been further streamlined to manage the application phase in the most effective way possible. The deadline for submitting entries in April 30th, 2017.
What's even more exciting is that this year, Middle East and Africa region semifinal event, which is scheduled for October 2017, will take place in Dubai for the first time. Last year, UAE-based chef Gregoire Berger won regional challenge, and represented the MEA region at the international grand finale.
Commenting, Luca Antonelli, Area manager – Middle East, S.Pellegrino said: "We are extremely thrilled to host Middle East and Africa region semifinal event in Dubai this year. Year by year we see an increase in number of applications for the international competition from the UAE. Through this initiative, S.Pellegrino is delighted to play a role in providing a platform to the rising culinary talent to demonstrate and strengthen their skills and gain from valuable visibility. With the clock ticking down to the start of Dubai Expo 2020 and massive growth expected in tourism, F&B and hospitality market over the next few years, it is very important to pave a way for the new generation of gastronomists to perform on a par with the best and provide them with a significant professional boost to offer a world-class culinary experience to the industry."
The third edition will take place over the course of 18 months, with final event taking place in Milan in June, 2018. The extended duration for this edition will allow candidates more time to work side by side their assigned Chef Mentors to improve their signature dishes and refine their skill set in preparation for the finals. In addition, applications will now be accepted in English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French and Italian.
All qualified applicants will be divided into 21 regions* according to their geographic origin. Submissions will then be evaluated by ALMA, the world's leading international educational and training centre for Italian Cuisine, which will select the top 10 semifinalists for each geographic region, according to five "Golden Rules": Ingredients, Skills, Genius, Beauty and Message
The 10 selected semifinalists of each of the 21 geographic areas will compete in a Local Semifinals round, where live competitions will be held in each region from June to December. In June 2018, the 21 Young Chef finalists will gather in Italy for the Grand Finale event to compete for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 title in front of Seven Sages, a distinguished panel of judges comprised of some of the most celebrated culinary masters of the world.
Over the course of the contest – which last year, attracted over 3,000 applicants – 70 top chefs will be involved as jurors in the local competitions, 21 young chefs from 21 different geographic areas will be selected as semifinalists, and 21 Chef Mentors will be assigned individually to the young chefs, providing guidance throughout their exceptional journey.
