ITALY | Ardy Ferguson, chef at Belon Hong Kong, has been named the winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25.
Following a two-day Grand Finale, Ardy Ferguson has been crowned as the winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25, the competition's sixth edition, at the iconic Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Competing against 14 other talented global finalists, Ferguson's dish 'Archipelago Celebration' stole the show.
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an inspiring global community, empowering talented young chefs through unparalleled connections with renowned culinary figures, education, mentorship and further networking opportunities. Its rigorous two-year global competition, spanning 55 countries and 15 regions, reached its culmination last night, with the extraordinary creativity, skill and visionary talent of gastronomy's next generation on full display and a winner crowned.
After two years of competing with chefs regionally and worldwide, Ferguson's signature dish was chosen as the winner by a Grand Jury of seven renowned chefs, including Christophe Bacquié of France and two-Michelin-star Le Table des Amis; Jeremy Chan, co-founder of London's trailblazing two-Michelin-star restaurant Ikoyi; Antonia Klugmann, of Michelin-starred L'Argine in Gorizia, Italy; Niki Nakayama, of Michelin-starred n/naka in Los Angeles; Elena Reygadas, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Rosetta in Mexico City and founder of the Elena Reygadas Scholarship; Julien Royer, of celebrated three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore; and Mitsuharu Tsumura, whose restaurant Maido in Lima is the best in the world according to The World's 50 Best Restaurants.
The jury praised Ferguson who has been guided throughout the competition by Vicky Lau for demonstrating exceptional technical precision, a distinctive creative vision and a deep personal connection to their dish. Their dish, 'Archipelago Celebration', stood out for its balance of innovation and authenticity, perfectly embodying the competition's values of skill, passion and purpose.
''I'm incredibly honoured to have been named the winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2025. Representing Asia on this global stage has been an unforgettable experience. Creating my dish, 'Archipelago Celebration', allowed me to share the vibrant culinary traditions of Indonesia that have deeply inspired me,” said Ferguson.
“This journey has challenged me creatively and technically and connected me with some of the most inspiring chefs in the world. I'm deeply grateful to my mentor, Vicky Lau, for her guidance, and to S.Pellegrino for building such an extraordinary platform that empowers and celebrates young chefs.''
Guests at the awards ceremony, held at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, were treated to an exclusive gastronomic spectacle, as a bespoke dinner was created by two of the culinary world's most influential figures: Pía León, chef-owner of Lima's Kjolle, ranked number nine on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025, and Jessica Rosval, Head Chef of Casa Maria Luigia and Al Gatto Verde.
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