Ten finalists, their mentors and returning Academy chefs come together to build a culinary community, with Asia’s winner progressing to the Grand Finale in Italy in 2027

Isamu Sakaguchi receives the Asia Regional Final winner’s award from Andrea Cavani.

Bangkok, 22 October 2026 – Isamu Sakaguchi, of Auberge eaufeu in Komatsu, Japan, has won the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Award at the Asia Regional Final of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2026–27. Selected from ten finalists at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary Arts School on 20 October, he will represent Asia at the Grand Finale in Italy in 2027. The result was announced at the awards ceremony and gala dinner at Dusit Thani Bangkok that evening.

The final brought together chefs from restaurants in Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Across three days in Bangkok, finalists worked alongside their mentors and connected with jurors and returning Academy chefs, reflecting the Academy’s purpose: discovering talent through competition and continuing to support it through education, mentorship and community.

“The talent we have seen in Bangkok shows why investing in young chefs matters. This competition gives them a platform, but the Academy’s role continues beyond the awards. By bringing finalists together with mentors, jurors and returning alumni, we create relationships that help them develop their ideas and take the next step in their careers. We look forward to supporting Isamu as he prepares to represent Asia at the Grand Finale,” said Giacomo Giacani, Head of Asia-Pacific, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages.

His winning signature dish, “Matsuri: Celebrating Nature, Community, and Abundance”, draws on Japan’s Satoyama culture and the coexistence of people and nature. It reflects the festivals, harvest traditions and cooperation that sustain rural communities, connecting his culinary vision with the ecosystems that provide its ingredients. Sakaguchi competed alongside his regional mentor, Shota Itoi of Auberge eaufeu.

Leong Chan of Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic in Hong Kong SAR took second place with “Eight Treasure Pigeon, Beauty of Dried Seafood”, supported by mentor Antonio Au. Jiwoo Lee of Zén in Singapore placed third with “Between Two Homes: Whole Hairtail”, supported by mentor Jong-won Son.

Signature dishes, from left: Isamu Sakaguchi (winner), Leong Chan (second) and Jiwoo Lee (third).

“With ‘Matsuri’, I wanted to celebrate the relationship between nature and the communities that sustain our food traditions. Receiving this award is a tremendous honour. I’m grateful to my mentor, Shota Itoi, for his guidance, and to the chefs I’ve met here for sharing their ideas and experiences. I look forward to developing the dish further and bringing its story to the Grand Finale,” said Isamu Sakaguchi.

Isamu Sakaguchi with mentor Shota Itoi (left); jurors assess the signature dishes (right).

The seven-member regional jury assessed technical skills, creativity and the personal belief behind each dish. It comprised Garima Arora of Gaa, Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam of Baan Tepa, LG Han of Labyrinth, Sun Kim of Meta Restaurant, Ryogo Tahara of Logy, Sam Tran of Gia and Luigi Troiano of Noi.

“For a young chef, developing a dish is also a way of discovering what they want to say through food. Technique matters, but so does understanding the ingredients and the people behind them. Bringing chefs from across Asia together creates space to exchange perspectives, learn from one another and carry those lessons back into their own kitchens,” said Chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam of Baan Tepa, a member of the regional jury.

Three further awards recognise the finalists’ culinary voices

S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award – Soyoon Kwon of L’amant Secret in Seoul, South Korea, selected by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award – Leong Chan of Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic in Hong Kong SAR, selected by the competition’s mentors.

Fine Dining Lovers Award – Ai Ichinose of SOLUNA in Tokyo, Japan, selected by Fine Dining Lovers Insiders.

Award recipients, from left: Isamu Sakaguchi, Ai Ichinose, Leong Chan and Soyoon Kwon.

Building a community across generations of chefs

The gathering opened on 18 October at CLARA with a welcome dinner hosted by Chef Christian Martena and the restaurant’s team. Christian’s continued involvement gave the evening a direct connection to the Academy’s mentorship story: he mentored Simone Scarparo, the 2024–25 Asia regional recipient of the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award and returned this year as mentor to CLARA finalist Kittitee Kamonnawin. The dinner brought this year’s chefs, mentors and guests together before competition day.

On 19 October, a live chef conversation at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit explored the experiences and ideas behind a culinary career. S.Pellegrino’s SPARK questions provided a starting point for exchange, inviting participants to share their perspectives and learn from one another beyond the competition kitchen.

That evening’s dinner at Blue Elephant Sukhumvit continued the connection between established and emerging talent, bringing together the Blue Elephant team, Chef Gerard Villaret and his former mentee Chudapa “Joy” Chansaming, a 2022–23 Asia regional finalist. Gerard returned this year as mentor to Patnarin Posiri of Elements, inspired by Ciel Bleu, showing how relationships formed through the Academy continue into later editions.

Returning Academy chefs also shaped the closing celebration on 20 October. William Yee, the 2024-25 Asia regional recipient of the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award, featured at the cocktail reception. Ardy Ferguson, global winner of the 2024–25 competition, joined Louis Han of Nae:um in Singapore to cook for the gala dinner.

Louis first competed in 2017 and later mentored Ian Goh, who won the Asia Regional Final in 2022 and the global Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award in 2023. Alongside Christian and Gerard’s continuing mentorship, these returning chefs illustrated how the Academy creates opportunities for its members to learn, progress and contribute to the next generation.

S.Pellegrino thanks the sponsors and partners who supported the Asia Regional Final, with special thanks to CLARA and Chef Christian Martena, Peroni, Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary Arts School and Blue Elephant Sukhumvit. Their support, together with the contribution of the guest chefs, mentors, jurors, trade and distributor partners, helped bring the Academy community together in Bangkok. Thank you also to Dusit Thani Bangkok for hosting the awards ceremony and gala dinner.

Find more information about S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy: sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com

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