Winners of Africa & Middle East Regional Final 2019

Paul Thinus Prinsloo was announced as winner of the Africa & Middle East regional final of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2020. The competition took place in Cape Town on 14th October, where the ten best young chefs from the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, South Africa and Turkey competed in the live cook off. He will be joining the finalists of the other 11 Regions of the competition to compete at the Grand Finale that will take place in Milan in October, 2021.

Paul Thinus Prinsloo is Chef de Partie at The Restaurant at Waterkloof in Cape Town. He won the judges over with his signature dish, "Bouillabaisse 2.0", a contemporary interpretation of a classic based on the traditional Provençal fish stew originating from France.

Paul Thinus Prinsloo, Chef de partie, 'The Restaurant At Waterkloof' - Cape Town, South Africa, and his signature dish: "Bouillabaisse 2.0"

Of the win, Prinsloo said: “I’m really excited to be competing in the Finale in Milan next year. There were a few mistakes on my part under the pressure today but I am always striving for perfection. I will be ready when I go up against the top chefs in Milan.”

The win is even more impressive as this year’s competition saw over 2,400 applicants from all over the world. All wanting to take part in this globally renowned competition to find the world’s best young chef, with the level of talent as impressive as ever.

An international jury panel of five professional chefs, were tasked with the challenging job of selecting one finalist and their signature dish to will represent the region at the Grande Finale of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2020, namely: Grégoire Berger, Maksut Aşkar, Michélle Teron, Myriam Ettahri and Youssef Akiki.

Paul Prinsloo has won the opportunity to compete for the overall title of S.Pellegrino Young Chef at the Grand Finale, however a further three young chef’s were also recognised at the Regional Final. To reflect S.Pellegrino’s belief in and support of, the transformative power of gastronomy and its impact beyond the kitchen, the following three awards have been introduced to the competition to complement the existing S.Pellegrino Young Chef award:

Acqua Panna Award for Connection in Gastronomy Winner: Elissa Abou Tasse

Elissa Abou Tasse, Chef de partie, 'Ritage by Maroun Chedid' - Beirut, Lebanon, and her signature dish: "Adam's Garden"

S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility Winner: Callan Austin

Callan Austin, Chef de partie, 'Le Coin Francais' - Cape Town, South Africa, and his signature dish: "The Ghost Net"

Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award Winner: Marcus Gericke

Marcus Gericke, Sous chef, 'Qunu At The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa' - Johannesburg, South Africa, and his signature dish: "Remembrance"

All of the winners of the additional three awards will also be invited to attend the Grand Finale, affording them another opportunity to network with some of the biggest names in gastronomy from around the globe.

Bookmark the page www.SanpellegrinoYoungChef.com to find out all the winners of this exciting culinary competition as the Regional Finals of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2019-2020 unfold around the globe.

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