The Hunt For Asia's Most Gifted Young Chef
How often do young chefs have the opportunity to compete in a prestigious competition? One might describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. San Pellegrino Academy offers an environment to uncover, connect, and support the next generation of chefs, regardless of their origins, gender, or race. But this year marks the first time that Thailand hosted the ‘S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Asia Regional Competition 2022-2023’. The competition is a world-class event that aims to push the boundaries of the culinary industry in the search of top-placed applicants among 10 talented young chefs who will receive the designation of "Regional Finalist" and will be eligible to compete in the 2023 Milan Grand Final.
CR : spyoungchefacademy
During this tough round, young chefs are given 5 hours to create a dish that would either make or break their careers. Along with their advisors who were able to provide guidance but no practical assistance. The dishes are evaluated based on the ‘Golden Rules’ consisting of 3 criteria that showcase their technical skills, illustrate their attention to the sustainable culinary approach, and reflect their culture, heritage, and life experiences. As a judging panel, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy has received recognition from five of Asia's most well-known and prominent members of the gastronomic community: Chef Pichaya (Pam) Utharntharm from restaurant Potong, Thailand; Chef Dave Pynt from Burnt Ends, Singapore; Chef Daniel Calvert from Sézanne, Japan; Chef Vanessa Huang from Ephernité, Taiwan; and Chef Thitid (Ton) Tassanakajohn from Le Du, Thailand.
CR : spyoungchefacademy
The young chefs and jurors later regrouped that same evening at the Penthouse bar of the Park Hyatt Bangkok following the nail-biting competition day. Snatching first place is Chef Ian Goh and chef-mentor Louis Han who have been awarded the Regional Young Chef Academy Award Asia award and the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award for their signature dish, the "Heritage lamb" which was a reference to the Singaporean's Hainanese heritage. On the stage with him are Xu Yu Chan and chef-mentor Li Guang Han, who received the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award for his dish, "Memories of hometown Assam laksa", and Yi Chung Chiu and chef-mentor Chih-Huai Tseng, who received the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award for "The grace of the Tibetan forest". Along with other regional finalists from the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific who had previously been selected to move on to the international finals, Ian Goh will compete in the San Pellegrino Young Chef international competition in Milan in 2023. No announcement of the day has yet been made.
CR : spyoungchefacademy