Good news from Milan! South Africa’s Chef Zanté Neethling presented a breathtaking dish at the prestigious S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition last night, and not only was it a delicious tribute – it was a masterpiece of mindful cooking, earning massive praise for its exemplary use of sustainable practices.
Milan, Italy (30 October 2025) – Following a two-day Grand Finale, last night saw South African talent shine among international culinary greats at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2025!
Though the competition’s sixth edition ultimate winner was Ardy Ferguson, whose ‘Archipelago Celebration’ dish from Asia stole the show, SA’s Chef Zanté Neethling triumphed in her own right. She won the prestigious S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award for her breathtaking dish: “Tribute to the Khoi-Khoin Tara”, which was praised for best exemplifying the use of sustainable practices.
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an inspiring global community, empowering talented young chefs through unparalleled connections with renowned culinary figures, education, mentorship and further networking opportunities.
Its rigorous two-year global competition, spanning 55 countries and 15 regions, reached its culmination last night, with the extraordinary creativity, skill and visionary talent of gastronomy’s next generation on full display and a winner crowned.
Ardy Ferguson’s signature dish won after two years of competing with chefs from around the world. A grand jury of seven famous chefs selected the winner.
The esteemed culinary jury included Christophe Bacquié from France, who runs the two-Michelin-star restaurant Le Table des Amis; Jeremy Chan, co-founder of the two-Michelin-star restaurant Ikoyi in London; Antonia Klugmann from Michelin-starred L’Argine in Gorizia, Italy; Niki Nakayama from Michelin-starred n/naka in Los Angeles; Elena Reygadas, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Rosetta in Mexico City; Julien Royer from the three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore; and Mitsuharu Tsumura, whose restaurant Maido in Lima is ranked the best in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an incredible opportunity for young talent in the industry to access the highest levels of expertise and knowledge, with Ferguson now joining high-ranking names to create a positive contribution to the world of gastronomy and the wider community.
Highlights from the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25 are available on S.Pellegrino Academy and Sanpellegrino official social channels.
To discover more about the competition, please visit sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com.
Sources: Supplied
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