The S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 Competition Celebrates Culinary and Design Innovation from Around the World

S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water today announced the results of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 Finals Competition, held in Milan from June 25-27. The unique competition paired 20 of the world’s most promising young chefs with 20 aspiring fashion designers, for a thrilling display of creative collaboration and innovation. A panel of seven renowned chefs was assembled by S.Pellegrino to judge the culinary competition, joined by style industry experts nominated by Vogue Italia to vote on the winning fashion designs.

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Chef Vinson Petrillo and Chef Wylie Dufresne at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 Finals Competition held in Milan, Italy. (Photo: Business Wire)

The recipients of the four culinary and design awards include:

• S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015: Chef Mark Moriarty, UK & Ireland
• Best Chef-Designer Couple (voted by Vogue Italia): Chef Maria José Jordan & Designer Paula Cademartori, Latin America
• Best Chef-Designer Couple (voted online by Vogua Italia readers): Chef Maria José Jordan & Designer Paula Cademartori, Latin America
• Best Designer: Xiao Li, China

In its inaugural year, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 competition received more than 3,000 entries from young chefs around the globe. A series of semifinalist competitions were held in January 2015 to determine the list of 20 global finalists. Chef Vinson Petrillo of Zero George Street Hotel and Restaurant in Charleston, S.C., was chosen to represent the U.S. by an esteemed judging panel, including Chef Wylie Dufresne of Alder restaurant, who also served as Petrillo’s chef mentor in Milan. Chef Petrillo’s signature dish consisted of pressurized octopus, wagyu cheek agnilotti, “parsley”, chorizo, and octopus ink emulsion.

“I am very proud of Chef Petrillo’s accomplishments and was honored to be included in this unique competition,” said Chef Wylie Dufresne. “It’s been a thrill working with Chef Petrillo over the last few months getting him prepared for Milan. Chef Petrillo has a very bright future ahead and I look forward to following his journey as a chef.”

At the finals event in Milan, Chef Petrillo competed alongside 19 other chefs, each representing a different country. In addition to the culinary competition component, the 20 young chefs were each paired with a fashion designer through a partnership between S.Pellegrino and Vogue Italia. The pairs collaborated to create dishes and garment designs that inspired one another leading up to the competition. Chef Petrillo was paired with eyewear and accessories designer Kerin Rose Gold of a-morir.

“S.Pellegrino Young Chef was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” said Chef Petrillo. “Competing alongside the other young chef hopefuls, with the mentorship of Chef Wylie Dufresne, has been an unforgettable learning experience for me, inspiring my next steps as I progress in the culinary field.”

Chef Grant Achatz from Chicago’s Alinea restaurant served on the panel of judge alongside internationally acclaimed chefs including: Gastón Acurio, Yannick Alléno, Massimo Bottura, Margot Janse, Yoshihiro Narisawa, and Joan Roca. The designers were judged by Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia, alongside Massimo Giorgetti, Ennio Capasa, Alberta Ferretti, Sara Maino, Marlene Taschen, and Giò Marconi.

For an insider’s glimpse into Chef Petrillo and Chef Dufresne’s experience at the 2015 S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 Finals event, visit https://youtu.be/YGxlfSv36T4 or follow the conversation on Twitter and Instagram: #SPYoungChef.

For more information about the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 competition and to see the full list of all 20 competing chefs, please visit: www.sanpellegrino.com

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 Awards, S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and Identità Golose. For more information, visit www.sanpellegrino.com.

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