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When young chefs in training take part in the Reaching for Young Stars competition organised by Showcook it’s about so much more than proving their skills. They are gaining enviable opportunities to take on the world. The initiative, now in its 17th year, involves star students from eight of Cape Town’s top culinary and hospitality schools and, with the help of sponsors such as San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, Cape Grace, KitchenAid, Lancewood, and WWF, exposes them to the expectations of the global culinary stage, preparing fledgling chefs to take off to destinations all over the world.

San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, add their prestigious sponsorship here as part of their global commitment to the culinary arts, with a view to developing young chefs for those careers. Contributing their international reputation and association with fine dining, they are integral partners in elevating the competition’s culinary standards to a global level.

This year the event was hosted by Cape Grace; a hospitality partner very much invested in nurturing the new generation. “Events like Reaching for Young Stars remind us why investing in youth development is vital for the growth and sustainability of our industry - we’re not just hosting a competition, we’re nurturing the future leaders of hospitality,” said Leon Meyer, General Manager of Cape Grace.

Reaching for Young Stars has a number of categories, so that the students, whether aspiring hot chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, hospitality all-rounders, baristas and bartenders, all have a chance to showcase their talents. As the winners were announced in June other aspects of their future careers were highlighted.

“In a world that is more connected than ever, your skills in hospitality, cuisine, and service are a form of global diplomacy,” said Ryan Smith, MP in his keynote speech at the awards ceremony. “Through every dish you plate, every table you set, and every experience you manage, you tell a story of our nation – one of resilience, innovation, and immense talent. I see daily how much value there is in cultural exchange – and food and hospitality are some of our most powerful tools. Whether you work in Knysna or Kyoto, in Cape Town or Copenhagen, you are helping to build bridges across cultures.”

Among the winners recognised were Mia Wicomb, crowned Cape Grace Reaching for Young Stars Chef of the Year; Anja Buchner, Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year; and Elijah Brauer, Cape Grace Reaching for Young Stars Beverage Student of the Year. Annika Ebersohn, who came second in the beverage category, received the award for Best ClemenGold Gin Cocktail with Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks for her gin sour using Clemengold gin, a fennel and celery stock syrup homemade bitters, and a garnish of Sanpellegrino Italian sparkling Drinks Limonata foam. She and Mia Wicomb together also won two of the food and wine pairing categories.

Sustainability was spotlighted too in the award presented by WWF Sassi recognising sustainability awareness demonstrated throughout the competition and presented to the team from International Hotel School, Arthur Houston, Matthew Constant and Elijah Brauer (who were each placed in the top three in their various categories). “Chefs are key to driving change, creating dishes that inspire and create awareness!” said Pavs Pillay of WWF-SASSI.

The aspirations of the young chefs are wide-ranging: Mia dreams of running her own restaurant; Arthur of establishing a culinary scholarship for aspiring chefs;  Matthew of opening a Michelin-star restaurant; Annika or working as a private chef and studying further in culinary arts in Switzerland; Elijah of opening a restaurants focussed on exceptional guest experiences and employee satisfaction; Anja of opening a patisserie where she can train aspiring chefs and give people a second chance. Other goals include research and development in the food industry, travelling the world to work with chefs they admire, or establishing a community bakery to upskill young people.

Seven of the winning young chefs have already won themselves a first step on the way to fulfilling their dreams. They will soon be spreading their wings to overseas destinations with three-month internships at prestigious hotels and chateaus in France and in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. Following that experience they will also be invited to take up three-week internships in a top South African hotel, broadening their practical experience immeasurably and preparing them for their future careers. San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna wishes them well on their various journeys.