Watch ‘Afuera Hay Más – A Young Chef’s Journey’

S.Pellegrino is proud to announce the release of its highly anticipated first documentary, ‘Afuera Hay Más – A Young Chef's Journey’. Set in the vibrant culinary scene of Peru, the compelling film follows the unique mentorship experience of Nelson Freitas, winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2022-23, led by Virgilio Martínez, chef of Central, number one on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023.

The documentary, named ‘Afuera Hay Más’ after Mater Iniciativa’s motto, is a universal story of cultural connections that teaches us to think outside of the box, overcome our limits and challenge ourselves while always being open to learning.

Under Martínez, working in the kitchens of Central, and Kjolle with Pía León, Virgilio´s life partner; as well as travelling to Mil in Cusco; Freitas learns how to push creative boundaries and infuse meaning into every dish.

Through the lens of gastronomy, Freitas is invited to grasp the true essence of 'Afuera Hay Más' – an invitation to step outside the kitchen, embracing themes of inspiration, knowledge and the relentless pursuit of excellence, meeting local producers, ceramic artists, farmers, biologists and many more, who help him to elevate his culinary vision and become a better chef.

The documentary also offers a journey through the entire local gastronomic ecosystem created by Martínez, together with Pia León – Best Female Chef 2021– and Malena, co-director of Mater and Virgilio's sister.

As part of its commitment to fostering the next generation of culinary talents, the Academy created this exclusive learning experience for Freitas, following his victory as the best young chef in the world. The initiative exemplifies how the Academy connects rising talent with the world's most renowned chefs, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth.

In an exciting update, we can report that Freitas has recently joined the team at Central.

"Working with Virgilio Martínez helped me realise that there’s so much more to learn, not just in the kitchen, but in life. Stepping out of the kitchen doesn't just mean leaving the stoves to explore other places. It primarily means engaging with other realities, other people, other cultures, and allowing oneself to be involved. It means changing one's perspective on things. Becoming today part of his team is a dream come true. The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy project has been life-changing and opened doors I never imagined. I’ll always be thankful for this opportunity," says Freitas.

‘Afuera Hay Más – A Young Chef’s Journey’ is available on Prime Video now, in the following countries: France, Italy, Peru, Spain, the UK and the US.