Jurors Announced for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition

Staged every two years since 2015, the S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is arguably the most prestigious cooking contest on the planet. Professional chefs aged 18 to 30 compete at the regional level before progressing to the global final in Milan, where experience in a Michelin star kitchen almost feels like a prerequisite.

But while the competition is a guaranteed adventure and carries serious bragging rights for the eventual winner, its real value is in the connections entrants form – both with their local and international peers, and with more senior chefs who provide direct feedback and mentorship in their role as jurors.

“How many chefs in Australia can say that they had a mentor like Josh [Niland]?” KyongHo Daniel Choi, who represented the Pacific region, asked us last year. “The whole process and the S. Pellegrino team in Australia have been amazing.”

Niland was a regional juror in 2024 before travelling to Milan to coach Choi through the global final. Other local jurors have included Brigitte Hafner of Victoria’s Tedesca Osteria, Jake Kellie of Adelaide’s Arkhe, Brent Savage of Sydney’s Bentley Group and James Beard Award-winning author Rosheen Kaul.

Now seven new star chefs have been announced as jurors for the 2026–27 season. They are Alanna Sapwell-Stone of Adelaide restaurant Esmay; TV host and Lumachelle chef Analiese Gregory; Melbourne restaurateur and prolific cookbook author Karen Martini; Dan Hong, long-time executive chef at Sydney institution Mr Wong; Clinton Mciver, owner of Melbourne fine diner Amaru and its wine bar spin-off, Auterra; James Cole Bowen, head chef at Gibney in Perth; and Ross Lusted, co-owner of Melbourne’s Marmelo and Sydney’s Woodcut.

On the day, 10 hopefuls will present one signature dish to this esteemed panel, talking through how it came together, the techniques that went into it, and how the dish relates to their life story and career so far. Regardless of whether they progress to the international grand final or not, it’s a valuable opportunity for young chefs to hear directly from those who’ve already traversed the path they’re on – and get help with walking it faster. 

Applications are open for the 2026–27 S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition until June 9, 2026. The competition is open to chefs aged 18–30.