S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2026
Four Vancouver chefs have been selected as finalists in the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2026, placing them among Canada’s most promising culinary talents. placing them among Canada’s most promising culinary talents. Recognized globally as one of the premier platforms for emerging chefs, the competition brings together ambitious culinary professionals under 30 from around the world to showcase their skills, creativity, and personal culinary vision.
The finalists represent a new generation of chefs pushing gastronomy forward through innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. Their selection not only advances them to the competition’s regional stage but also provides valuable mentorship and exposure within the global culinary community.
Vancouver finalists include:
Jungun Yang: Inspired by his Korean roots and life on Canada’s West Coast, Yang’s dish showcases coastal ingredients that connect Korean heritage with Pacific Northwest flavours and techniques.
Tengis Battur: Battur’s dish draws on Mongolia’s nomadic traditions, exploring cultural identity, adaptability, and his mission to bring Mongolian cuisine to a wider audience.
Jakub Jicinsky: Inspired by Caribbean flavours, Jicinsky’s dish elevates humble ingredients while celebrating family, community, and cultural connection through food.
Yash Mhadgut: Mhadgut reimagines the coastal flavours of Maharashtra in a contemporary fine-dining format, honouring culinary traditions and the women who preserve them.
The finalists will travel to Toronto this October to compete for the chance to become Canada’s representative at the international Grand Finale in Milan, Italy, in 2027.
The announcement highlights Vancouvers continued reputation as a hub for culinary innovation, diversity and world-class dining talent. The chefs can speak to their culinary journeys, inspirations, competition dishes, and what it means to represent B.C. on a national stage.
Participants also have the opportunity to compete for three additional awards alongside the main prize:
The S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award, voted for by the Sustainable Restaurant Association which runs the Food Made Good program, which is awarded to the young chef whose signature dish best represents the principle that food is at its best when it’s the result of socially responsible practices;
The Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award, voted for by the Competition mentors, which is given to the young chef who best highlights both the traditional culinary practices of their region and their own personal modern vision, providing a connection between the past and the future;
The Fine Dining Lovers Award, voted for by the Fine Dining Lovers Insiders. The evaluation pool is made up of journalists and industry experts from the Fine Dining Lovers inner network. As true insiders, they can identify the qualities in each candidate’s dish that will inspire a broader mainstream audience.They will assess the dish’s effectiveness in terms of representing the chef’s personal belief.
All participants automatically become members of the inspiring global community that is the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, with all of the fantastic personal and career development opportunities it offers
About S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy
Gastronomy has the potential to transform society, shaping a more inclusive, more sustainable future. But doing so requires talent. That’s why S.Pellegrino has created S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, a platform to attract, connect and nurture the next generation of culinary talents. An environment that will empower them through education, mentoring and experience opportunities, as well as through the renowned global competition. The Academy opens its doors to members from over 70 different countries, ensuring that talent is not constrained by geography, ethnicity, or gender. This is a place where passionate young chefs interact with the most influential players in global gastronomy, and where together they cultivate an inspiring culinary community. To discover more please visit: sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com
About S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna
S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks are international trademarks of Sanpellegrino S.p.A., which is based in Milan, Italy. Distributed in over 150 countries through branches and distributors on all five continents, these products represent quality, excellence by virtue of their origins and perfectly interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of pleasure, health and well-being. Founded in 1899, Sanpellegrino S.p.A. is the leading company in the beverage sector in Italy with its range of mineral waters, non-alcoholic aperitifs and drinks. Sanpellegrino has always been committed to enhancing this primary good for the planet and works responsibly and passionately to ensure that this resource has a secure future.
SOURCE Sanpellegrino Group