Finalists Representing Malta For S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition Revealed
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy has officially revealed the talented young chefs selected to represent the South Europe & Mediterranean region in the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25.
This global initiative seeks to discover and mentor the most promising culinary talents under 30 from around the world.
Thousands of young chefs applied for the competition, motivated by the chance to learn from some of the most influential figures in the gastronomic world.
Out of these applicants, 165 chefs were selected to compete in the Regional Finals, where they will showcase their unique creativity and culinary vision.
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The selection process was rigorous, with each chef’s application and signature dish evaluated by experts at ALMA, the World’s Leading International Educational and Training Centre for Italian Cuisine.
The evaluation was based on three key criteria: technical skills, creativity, and a commitment to using gastronomy as a force for positive change in society.
“The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition surprises us with every edition,” said Matteo Berti, Head of Education at ALMA.
“The candidates continue to outdo themselves, driven by passion and commitment. The selection process was not easy, but now it’s up to the shortlisted candidates to show their talents throughout the course of the competition.”
The South Europe & Mediterranean Regional Final will take place on 25th and 26th November 2024 in Malta.
During these finals, the selected young chefs will present their signature dishes to a prestigious jury composed of renowned chefs, including Malta’s very own Victory Borg, Thanos Feskos (Greece), Iwona Niemczewska (Poland), Alexandru Iacob (Romania) and Igor Jagodic (Slovenia), and Victor Borg (Malta).
The jury will select the regional winners for four awards.
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Award will be given to the chef who best demonstrates technical skill, creativity, and a strong personal vision for the future of gastronomy.
The S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award will be awarded to the dish that exemplifies socially responsible practices, judged by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
The Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award recognises the chef whose dish best represents their native region’s culinary heritage while offering a modern twist.
Finally, the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award will be voted on by Fine Dining Lovers readers, this award honours the chef who most effectively expresses their personal beliefs through their dish.
The regional winners of each award will advance to the Grand Finale in 2025, where they will compete for the global title in their respective categories.
The lineup of Regional Finalists from the South Europe & Mediterranean Region includes:
- – Malta: Andrea Amore and Luis Estrella
- – Greece: Alexandros Diamantis
- – Hungary: Fanni Varga
- – Israel: Yuval Romano and Rotem Dolev
- – Poland: Maciej Osinski, Cezary Boraczynksi, and Dawid Cieslinski
- – Romania: Bogdan Panaite and Vadean Alin
- – Serbia: Nikola Sorak
- – Slovenia: Matija Cotic, Bostjan Volk, and Pablo Falcon
To learn more about the competition and see the full list of candidates, visit the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy website.
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