On Mar. 25, 2025, S.Pellegrino brought the future of gastronomy to the table with an exclusive luncheon at the Michelin-starred JungsikSeoul, ahead of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy (SPYCA) 2024-25 Grand Finale.
The event gathered top culinary talent — including young chefs, mentors, and judges — for a multi-course dining experience created by ten renowned chefs, and a lively panel discussion on how Asia is transforming into a global culinary powerhouse.
Now in its sixth edition, SPYCA’s journey began with 15 regional finals held between September 2024 and January 2025. The winners will head to Milan this October to compete for the title of the World’s Best Young Chef.
The luncheon celebrated not only their talent but also the collaborative spirit of the academy. The meal kicked off with multiple rounds of amuse-bouche by six senior chefs who previously served as SPYCA mentors and judges.
Singapore’s Junior Sous Chef William Yee of Labyrinth, winner of the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award, followed with a refined first course. Korea’s Jaeho Kim of Andaz Seoul Gangnam presented a soulful hot starter inspired by his family’s heritage.
The spotlight then turned to Hong Kong’s ArdyFerguson, who won the title Asia regional winner for his twist on the Indonesian dishes ‘Nasi Tumpeng’and ‘Sate Padang,’ with Hong Kong-style duck.Guests at the luncheon were treated to an adaptation of this winning dish, Archipelago Celebration — which pays homage to his Indonesian roots while highlighting Hong Kong’s rich culinary landscape.
The meal ended on a sweet note with a dessert by host chef and SPYCA Juror alumnus Jungsik Yim.
Reflecting on the young chefs’ creativity, SPYCA Asia Regional JudgeChefRichieLin noted, “It won’t be long before they rise as global ambassadors of Asian cuisine.”
For more information on the grand finale, visit SPYCA on their official website, or Instagram and Facebook.
