Chef Luckson Mare from The Living Room at Summerhill Guest Estate in Durban has been named winner of the S Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Regional Final for the Africa, Middle East & South Asia region. Mare secured his place at the grand finale in Milan in 2025 after a two-day cook-off at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town.
Mare impressed the regional jury – Roaya Saleh (Bahrain), Bertus Basson (South Africa) and Akmal Anuar (United Arab Emirates) – with his signature dish: duck, sweet potato and matungulu (Natal plum).
Speaking about his dish, Mare said: “My culinary journey began in my mother’s kitchen where sweet potatoes were a staple. I’ve paired this humble ingredient with duck, representing fine dining, and incorporated foraged matungulu as a tribute to my mentor Chef Johannes Richter whose teachings have shaped my approach to cooking.”
Mare will work closely with Richter, Executive Chef at The Living Room at Summerhill Guest Estate, to refine his dish and skills ahead of the global competition.
Additional awards
Three other chefs were recognised at the regional final – each earned opportunities to compete for global awards at the grand finale:
- S Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award: Zanté Neethling from Beyond Restaurant, Cape Town
- Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award: Robin Höfer from Ossiano Restaurant, Dubai
- Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award: Mahmoud Ali from Bold Restaurant, Ghana
Award ceremony
The winners were announced during a gala award ceremony at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. The event featured a sustainability-focused menu by Executive Chef Luke Barry, paired with Idiom wines and Nespresso coffee.
The S Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition aims to identify and support emerging culinary talent globally, fostering innovation and sustainability in gastronomy.
