Deadline for San Pellegrino Young Chef Award looms

Penelope Walsh, March 8th, 2016

The deadline for nominations to the SP Young Chef Award 2016 closes on March 30, 2016.

Each year, the award ceremony honours talented young chefs that are under 30 and have been working professionally in restaurant for at least one year in the position of chef, sous chefs or chefs de partie.

The competition divides participants into 20 competing geographical areas of the world. The young chef participants are whittled down to 20 finalists, each assigned with a chef mentor. The competition is then judged by a panel of 100 top chefs from around world. Last year’s competition reached 300 entries, of which two chefs from the UAE competed in the regional semi-finals.

In the first round of the competition, 10 semi-finalists will be selected for each of the 20 geographical regions represented in the competition.
In the second round of the SP Young Chef Award judging process, the 10 local finalists will compete, and be judged by a local jury on the basis of five key criteria: 'ingredients, skills, genius, beauty, and message'.

The 20 finalists from each global region will then compete at the grand finale of the competition, held on October 13, 2016 in Milan, Italy.

Commenting on the competition, Dubai-based chef and regional supporter of the award Uwe Micheel (director of kitchens, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek and president of Emirates Culinary Guild) said: “SP Young Chef Award is a great opportunity for young chefs to demonstrate both their talent and creative skills to the industry and get recognised for what sets them apart in a very competitive industry.

“With Expo 2020 rapidly approaching, the UAE tourism and hospitality sector will experience massive growth. The award paves the way for a new generation of gastronomists and helps build and retain a competitive workforce which plays an important role in sustaining the sector’s growth and development.”

To enter the SP Young Chef Award 2016, chefs can submit their application and signature dish at www.finedininglovers.com.