Jackson Mehlhopt of Tussock Hill Restaurant Awarded at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2022

It was a vegan dish that secured Robin Wagner the 2022 S.Pellegrino Young Chef Award at last night’s ceremony in Sydney.

But a keen hunter from New Zealand was also recognised with the Acqua Panna Award for Connection in Gastronomy.

There’s already a lot of excitement for Jackson Mehlhopt, who is head chef of Tussock Hill Cellar Door and Restaurant, just out of Christchurch, and who trained under two of New Zealand’s finest (Vaughan Mabee from Amisfield and Giulio Sturla of Roots).

He snagged the award for his dish The Southern Kiwi Deer and Its Surroundings. “The Southern Kiwi Deer and Its Surroundings is a dish that symbolises the importance of recognising different forms of food waste,” said Mehlhopt, who is also a keen forager and harvester.

“Wapiti deer have been trophy-hunted in New Zealand since they were introduced into Fiordland National Park in the early 1900s. Herd numbers of wapiti need to be controlled because they interfere with the ecology of the national park and are a threat to biodiversity in this region.”

With his dish, Mehlhopt explores the synergy between this wild animal and the environment it threatens. “By recognising our responsibility within that relationship and utilising what nature has to offer, we can begin to envision a better, more sustainable future."

Ten chefs under 30 competed in the Pacific region competition, cooking a dish that was then judged by three notable food folks: Jacqui Challinor, executive chef of Nomad Sydney and Melbourne; influential seafood pioneer Josh Niland (Saint Peter); and renowned fine-dining master Peter Gilmore of Quay.

Last night’s awards ceremony was held at Italian restaurant Seta.

The Award for Social Responsibility went to Alexis Belmas, pastry chef at Queensland’s La Petit Souris. Leidy Carolina Maldonado Ramirez won the Fine Dining Lovers Community Award for her dish Ensalada de Payaso, or “clown salad”. Ramirez is chef at Far North Queensland restaurant Nu Nu.

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is about fostering and developing the next generation of culinary talent and helping hone their skills. Each chef is given a mentor, who helps guide them and teaches them about cheffing and the food industry.

Top winner Wagner will now represent the Pacific region at the grand final in Milan in 2023.