Everyone needs a bit of a kickstart to their careers and we’ve picked out two opportunities that will do just that.
Young chef competition
The world’s most exciting culinary talent search, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25, are now open.
The competition, returning for a sixth edition, gives young chefs a chance to showcase their skills, talent and creativity on the global stage, with a signature dish.
Initial applications are assessed by Alma, the International School of Italian Culinary Arts, which then draws up a shortlist of competitors ahead of the regional finals. The young chefs who at the regionals then cook for a jury, made of the some of the world’s best chefs at the finale in Milan.
But what’s in the pot for the winner? Hear it from the 2023 winner, 2023 Portuguese chef Nelson Freitas. “I feel that I've grown in a professional and personal way, discovering new horizons and a renewed motivation for the future,” says Freitas, who works at the Fifty Seconds restaurant in Lisbon.
To apply, chefs below the age of 30 who have worked in a restaurant for at least a year have until June 19 to submit their signature recipe that expresses their personal vision, beliefs and creativity.
Participants have the opportunity to compete for three collateral awards alongside the main prize. The S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award is awarded to the chef whose signature dish best represents the principle that food is at its best when it’s the result of socially responsible practices; the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award is given to the chef who best highlights the traditional culinary practices of their region and their modern vision; and the Fine Dining Lovers Food For Thought Award given to the chef who best represents their personal beliefs with a signature dish.
Visit the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy website.
Italian scholarships
The Italian government has announced scholarships for the academic year 2024/2025, in favour of Thai candidates who wish to attend courses at Italian universities and higher education institutions.
To earn a Master Degree (Laurea Magistrale 2o ciclo); courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music and Dance (AFAM); Italian language and culture advanced courses (three months only), for which applicants should be adults and should not be above the age of 28 (born after June 14, 1995); a PhD programme where applicants should be adults but below the age of 30 (born after June 14, 1993); and Research projects under academic supervision (Progetti in co-tutela), where applicants should be adults but not above the age of 40 (born after June 14, 1983).
Visit the Study In Italy website or the Italian embassy website and apply before June 14.
