Suffolk Chef reaches UK final of prestigious S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2022-23

Suffolk-based chef Swann Auffray of The Great House, Lavenham has reached the UK final of the highly prestigious S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition.

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is a global initiative that strives to discover and support the most inspiring young chefs around the world.

The bi-annual competition and academy aims to push the boundaries of gastronomy and has the support of some of the most celebrated figures in the industry. Judges of the UK competition this year include Jason Atherton, Francesco Mazzei, Lisa Goodwin Allen, Claude Bosi, Sally Abe, Skye Gyngell, Sat Bains.

Being selected to compete at the UK final, taking place in London on 12 October, means that Swann joins a shortlist of 10 of the UK’s most promising chefs under 30. Swann impressed an international judging panel, rising to the top of thousands of applications from all over the world who were inspired to enter the competition to share their vision and connect with the most influential people in the gastronomic world.

Swann, originally from Nantes, France, got his diploma from Nicolas Appert, a cooking college in nearby Orvault. After spending a summer in Corsica, cooking at a holiday club, Swann moved to England where he started his career at The Great House, Lavenham. Following a six-month break where Swann undertook a Chef de Partie position in the French Caribbean, he returned to The Great House as Sous Chef and has been there ever since. He’s not stopped learning and evolving, and a few years back was made Head Chef there.

Speaking about his nomination Swann added: “It’s such an achievement to be a regional finalist in this years SPYCA competition. When I applied, I never thought I would be selected, but here I am with the opportunity of a lifetime – and I still can’t believe it!”

At the UK final in October, ten finalists will present their signature dishes to the renowned jury panel who will judge the candidates’ signature dishes and select the winners of the four awards.

The Young Chefs announced as official finalists of the four awards will move on to the Grand Finale that will take place in Milan in 2023. Throughout the months, each finalist will be accompanied by Mentor Chefs, who will provide them with guidance on how to improve their signature dishes and support them in their preparation for the international finals.

To discover the full list of candidates and know more about the initiative please visit: https://www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com/