MILAN, Oct. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
San Francisco-based chef
Mitch Lienhard of Manresa restaurant
has been crowned the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016. With his winning
signature dish, "roasted duck with spiced orange and yam", and
guidance from Mentor Chef Dominique
Crenn, Lienhard emerged among the competing 20 finalists
from across the globe as the best Young Chef in the world.
"It's really exciting," Lienhard said, commenting on his big
win. "I feel like I've prepared for this moment, but I don't
feel like I've prepared for this moment. I'm ecstatic." In his
presentation to the Grand Jury, he explained his winning dish was a
reminder of his home state of Michigan, with aromas of burning leaves and
maple.
Mitch Lienhard was elected by a
distinguished jury of seven internationally-acclaimed chefs, known
as the "Seven Sages", including David
Higgs, Carlo Cracco, Gaggan
Anand, Elena Arzak, Mauro Colagreco,
Wylie Dufresne and
Roberta Sudbrack. The
extensive evaluation process was based on the criteria of the five
"Golden Rules" of ingredients, skills, genius,
beauty and message. The Young Chef 2016 award
ceremony was followed by a gala dinner prepared by the one-and-only
Massimo Bottura, whose Osteria Francescana of Modena,
Italy, is ranked n°1 on the
World's 50 Best Restaurants list 2016.
Being crowned S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 will offer
Mitch Lienhard the extraordinary
opportunity to gain worldwide visibility and a significant
professional boost, as well as the chance to take part in several
of the brand's events around the world, including but not limited
to those related to the Young Chef competition.
Commenting on his experience following his big win last year,
S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015, Mark Moriarty said, "The 2015 edition of
S.Pellegrino Young Chef provided me with an invaluable experience,
both professionally and personally. I look forward to the next
stage of my young career and wish this year's recipient of the
award the very best in the future."
This year's Grand Finale ceremony also included the awarding of
two additional prizes. To celebrate the dish that best presents
traditional elements in a contemporary way, the "Acqua Panna
Contemporary Tradition Award" was given to Italian chef
Alessandro Salvatore Raspisarda. Additionally, for the first
time ever, FineDiningLovers.com hosted a public voting forum to
determine the most inspiring dish concept. The "Inspiring
Message Award by S.Pellegrino", was presented to winner
Daniel Nates from Mexico,
representing Latin America.
Nearly ten months since the launch of the international
competition's second edition in January
2016, which has seen participation from more than 3,000
talented Young Chefs from twenty different geographic regions
worldwide, S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 has come to a close. In
order to compete in this extraordinary global event, the Young
Chefs and their signature dishes had to pass several
highly-selective preliminary rounds, starting with an initial
screening by ALMA – the world's leading international educational
and training centre for Italian Cuisine (www.alma.scuolacucina.it)
– and followed by the regional finals, during which the chefs
finished first among nine other talented local contenders.
Applicants had initially submitted their applications,
together with their signature dishes, on
www.finedininglovers.com.
Finedininglovers.com, the online magazine for food
enthusiasts proudly endorsed by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, will provide followers and
food-enthusiasts around the world continuous exclusive content on
the competition, including interviews, information on the Young
Chefs' signature dishes and other details on the finalists and the
Grand Finale in Milan.
The names of all winners at S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 are as
follows:
- S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016: Mitch Lienhard from the United States
- Acqua Panna Contemporary Tradition Award:
Alessandro Salvatore Raspisarda from Italy
- Inspiring Message Award by S.Pellegrino: Daniel
Nates from Mexico
S.Pellegrino recognizes support from key partners and sponsors
including: ALMA, Nespresso, Electrolux, Cantine Ferrari, Giblor's,
Mauviel 1830, Poltrona Frau.
The complete press kit with bios of the Young Chefs, mentors,
jury and all the pictures taken during the Grand Finale event are
available in the Media Room
http://mediaspyc2016.ruds.info/, Password: SPYC2016
(all capital letters).
Join the conversation online using #SPYoungChef.
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 Rising Star Chef of the
Year Award, S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition, The
World's 50 Best Restaurants list, Aspen Food and Wine Classic,
Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation, and Identità Golose.
For more information,
visit www.facebook.com/SanPellegrinoUS or www.finedininglovers.com
Press Contact:
Bridget Norris
bnorris@team-n.net
617-520-7057
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SOURCE S.Pellegrino