[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1561451775710{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]2400 applicants from around the world were whittled down to just 135 – these are the young chefs that have made it through to the next round of the S. Pellegrino Young Chef 2020 Competition. South Africa, which is part of the Africa and Middle East Region, is well-represented, with seven out of the ten regional finalists hailing from SA. The ten chefs that made it to the regional finals are:

  • Kayla-Ann Osborn: The Chefs Table, Umhlanga, Durban
  • Logan Leisse: Cavalli Estate, Stellenbosch
  • Callan Austin: Le Coin Français, Franschhoek
  • Daniel Payne: View Restaurant at The Four Seasons Hotel, Johannesburg
  • Marcus Gericke: Qunu at The Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg
  • Meshen Pillay: Reuben’s at The Capital Moloko, Johannesburg
  • Paul Thinus Prinsloo: The Restaurant at Waterkloof, Somerset West
  • Elissa Abou Tasse: Maroun Chedid S.A.L, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Aytekin Yamaç: Hezarfen Restaurant, Taksim, Turkey
  • Martim Moreau Maita: The Park Hyatt, Abu Dhabi Hotel, United Arab Emirates

Entrants had to submit a signature dish, which was evaluated for technical skills, creativity and personal belief by the culinary experts at the World’s Leading International Educational and Training Centre for Italian Cuisine, ALMA. “We have had the pleasure of collaborating with S.Pellegrino Young Chef since the very first edition, and every time we are amazed by the variety of ideas and the great passion shown by the candidates”, said Andrea Sinigaglia, General Manager of ALMA. “For this edition we selected 135 young talents and we are excited to see how they will perform first on a local, and then on a global scale. Good luck to all of them!”

Between August and December this year, the candidates will compete in regional challenges. The winner of the challenge will go on to represent the region as a finalist in the Grand Finale, taking place next year. They will be mentored throughout the process, with their mentor chef providing them guidance on how to improve their signature dishes.

Take a look at the seven signature dishes from the South African regional finalists:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_gallery images=”33126,33135,33122,33134,33133,33127,33124″ column=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row]