S.Pellegrino® Announces Plans for the Young Chef 2016 Global Competition

Acclaimed Chef Wylie Dufresne joins the esteemed judging panel to recognize up-and-coming culinary talents from across the globe

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S.Pellegrino

Nov 23, 2015, 10:19 ET

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, S.Pellegrino^® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water announces the return of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016, a one-of-a-kind culinary competition to recognize leading young chefs worldwide. Following the success of last year's inaugural event, S.Pellegrino Young Chef brings together contestants from 20 countries across the globe, for the chance to compete for the coveted S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 title.

An elite group of world-renowned chefs serve as the judging panel for the competition's global finale in Milan, regarded as the Seven Sages. This year, Chef Wylie Dufresne joins the panel, alongside David Higgs, Carlo Cracco, Gaggan Anand, Elena Arzak, Mauro Colagreco and Roberta Sudbrack. In 2015, Chef Dufresne sat on the U.S. regional judging panel and accompanied the U.S. regional winner, Vinson Petrillo, to Milan as a chef mentor.

"The S.Pellegrino Young Chef competition offers young chefs the chance to showcase their skills while also learning from some of the best culinary figures in the world," said Wylie Dufresne. "I witnessed a remarkable level of talent amongst the contestants last year and now that the bar has been set, I'm looking forward to taking part in the global judging panel to see what these young chefs can do this year."

Chef contestants must be 30 years of age or younger, and hold the position of a sous chef, chef de cuisine, or chef de partie. ALMA, the world's leading international educational and training center for Italian cuisine, will select up to 10 semi-finalists for each of the 20 regional competitions based on online submissions. From there, semifinalists will compete in front of a regional jury of acclaimed chefs and one winner from each market will continue on to participate in the Grand Final Event in Milan in 2016.

"I was delighted and honoured to be named S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015," said Mark Moriarty, S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 winner. "The experience is one that I will never forget. I met so many fantastic chefs along the way and the title has made an incredible difference to my career as a whole."

Call for chef applications will open on January 1, 2016. For more information on the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 competition, visit www.finedininglovers.com or follow #SPYoungChef online.

About S.Pellegrino^® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

The signature taste of S.Pellegrino^® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water is created during a 30-year journey through the Italian Alps, where the water is naturally filtered. S.Pellegrino cleanses the palate and amplifies subtle flavors, making it the perfect complement to fine food and wines. This clean, refreshing taste helped S.Pellegrino become a preferred sparkling water in fine-dining restaurants in the USA, and pairs well with any occasion.

S.Pellegrino is proud to support a number of top culinary events, such as The James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef of the Year Award, S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition, The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, Aspen Food and Wine Classic, Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation, and Identita Golose. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SanPellegrinoUS or www.finedininglovers.com

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SOURCE S.Pellegrino