A Celebration of Asian Culinary Talent: S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Hosts Exclusive Media Lunch at Jungsik Seoul

Explore the highlights of the 2024–25 S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Media Lunch at 2-Michelin-starred Jungsik in Seoul, featuring top young chefs from Asia and insights on the future of fine dining.

On March 25th, the prestigious 2-Michelin-starred restaurant Jungsik in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, played host to a remarkable event that brought together gastronomy, creativity, and emerging culinary talent. The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Media Invitation Lunch was held to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of the Asian culinary scene, ahead of the Asia Regional Finals of the 2024–25 S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition.

Set against the elegant backdrop of Jungsik, the event featured a collaborative lunch course crafted by 10 chefs from across Asia — each bringing their own voice, cultural background, and artistry to the table. Among them were Ardy Ferguson, Head Chef of Belon in Hong Kong and winner of the Asia Regional Finals; William Yee, Junior Executive Chef at Labyrinth in Singapore; and Jaeho Kim, representing Korea from Andaz Seoul Gangnam.

Each dish presented during the lunch was not only visually stunning but also embodied the chefs’ identities and regional heritage. The highlight of the menu was Ardy Ferguson’s signature creation, “Festival of the Archipelago” — a masterful interpretation of Indonesian culinary traditions fused with modern techniques. This very dish earned him the top title at the regional finals and received high praise for its bold flavors and striking presentation.

As a sweet finale, Jungsik’s own Chef Jungsik Lim presented his iconic dessert, “Ulleungdo Maple”, a delicate reflection of Korean seasonality using maple syrup sourced from the remote island of Ulleungdo. This dish elegantly showcased the potential of Korean ingredients in creating world-class desserts.

The afternoon also included a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring key topics such as:

• The Evolution of Asian Culinary Experiences

• The Future of Fine Dining in Asia

• The Impact of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy on Emerging Talent

Notably, Roberto Caroni, Director of Sanpellegrino Asia Pacific, emphasized the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of culinary leaders and supporting their growth on a global stage.

The mentor chefs in attendance included:

• Chef Jungsik Lim (Jungsik, Korea)

• Chef LG Han (Singapore)

• Chef Kirk Westaway (UK)

• Chef Richie Lin (Taiwan)

• Chef William Yee (Labyrinth, Singapore)

• Chef Jaeho Kim (Andaz Seoul Gangnam, Korea)

• Chef Ardy Ferguson (Belon, Hong Kong)

Chef LG Han remarked during the panel, “Seeing these chefs grow through the competition reinforces my belief that global exposure and networking are vital in shaping the next generation of culinary leaders.”

Far beyond a simple media gathering, the event was a tribute to the diversity and dynamism of Asian cuisine — and a celebration of the creative spirit and passion driving its young chefs forward.