News

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy has crowned chef Luckson Mare from The Living Room at Summerhill Guest Estate in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal as the winner of the competition’s Regional Final for the Africa, Middle East & South Asia region. Mare earned the title after an exciting two-day cook-off held on the 18th and 19th of November 2024 at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town, South Africa.

Luckson Mare distinguished himself among the region’s most talented young chefs with his exceptional skill, dedication, and ambition, securing a coveted spot at the Grand Finale in 2025. Mare impressed the esteemed regional jury (Roaya Saleh from Bahrain, Bertus Basson from South Africa & Akmal Anuar from the United Arab Emirates) with his signature dish, Duck, Sweet Potato, and Matungulu (Natal Coastal Plum).

"My culinary journey began in my mother's kitchen, where, as the youngest of five, I was always tasked with helping to cook. My mother has a deep love for sweet potatoes and could tell, just by taste and texture, when they were harvested. I've taken this humble root and paired it with duck—poultry that, to me, represents the essence of fine dining. This reflects the lessons I've learned in the industry, particularly in butchering. I've also incorporated wild-foraged matangulu, a tribute to Chef Johannes, whose teachings have profoundly shaped my approach to cooking," says Mare.

As he prepares for the Grand Finale, Chef Luckson will work closely with a mentor to refine his signature dish and hone his gastronomic skills. His mentor will be Chef Johannes Richter, the executive chef at the award-winning The Living Room at Summerhill Guest Estate.

In addition to Mare's win, three other chefs received awards during the Regional Final, earning opportunities to compete for global titles at next year’s Grand Finale:

• S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award – Zanté Neethling from Beyond Restaurant in Cape Town
• Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award – Robin Höfer from Ossiano Restaurant in Dubai
• Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award – Mahmoud Ali from Bold Restaurant in Ghana

The much-anticipated Gala Award Ceremony was hosted at the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel, a Belmond property. The evening’s theme, Bring Your Future, inspired a menu by Executive Chef Luke Barry, focused on sustainability and his vision of the future. The dishes were expertly paired with Idiom wines and Nespresso coffee.

For updates and news about this exciting initiative, which aims to discover and nurture brilliant, boundary-pushing culinary talent, visit www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com.