S.Pellegrino MEA semi-finals winner announced

Angelo Scrirocco from Chefs Warehouse & Canteen, Cape Town, is the winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 semi finals who will represent the Middle East and Africa Region at the S.Pellegrino Talent Awards in Milan, June 2015.

Scirocco, with his Milk is Thicker than Water dish, trumped the other nine finalists.

Rahil Rathod, chef de parties, Radisson Blu Hotel Deira Creek from Dubai came second with his signature dish.

The regional challenge took place at the South Africa Chefs Academy in Cape Town on February 23, when a jury composed of chefs such as David Higgs, Joe Barza and Uwe Micheel tasted all the signature dishes of the finalists and chose Scirocco as the best, according to the five Golden Rules: ingredients, skills, genius, beauty, message.

“This experience has opened new doors for me and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to David’s guidance and to grow as a young chef. I also look forward to bringing this award home on behalf of my fellow colleugues, we were all winners today," said Scirocco.

“It’s a dish consisting of milk as the main component. It is a combination of different ideas of courses that would include typical ingredients in each separate course. This dish has since progressed into a dessert," he said.

During this final round, each of the 20 finalists will be supported by a “Mentor Chef”, who will provide suggestions on how to improve their recipe and, more in general, to become a better chef.

Higgs has been named as the mentor for the Middle East and Africa’s regional finalist, drawing on years of experience and expertise to advise on the talented young chef’s final dish.