Young Talents Escoffier

Recognising Potential
in Food & Beverage

A culinary showdown amongst young individuals under 25 to showcase their gastronomic skills and gain recognition from international judges.

The Disciples Escoffier International (DEI) Association has been holding the “Young Talents Escoffier” competition every year since 2003.

It has two categories for young individuals under 25: A Kitchen Category and a Service Category.
An opportunity built on meetings, but mainly on imparting knowledge to the younger generations.
It has now carved a spot for itself at international gastronomy conventions.

In collaboration with DEI Asia and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, the Young Talents Escoffier is the arena for young culinary talents to display their gastronomic skills and be accredited
by a panel of internationally acclaimed judges.

This page contains all competition details from Young Talents Escoffier 2023.

To view this year’s competition, Young Talents Escoffier 2024, please click here.

Participating Delegations

President Cuisine Candidate
Bruno Arnaldo II Cardone Samon Nhem
President Cuisine Candidate
Zhou Hong Bin Xie Arong
President Cuisine Candidate Service Candidate
Gilles Emile Marx I Wayan Agus Purnawinata Agus Nanda Putra Prayoga
President Cuisine Candidate Service Candidate
Chu Wai Chung, Wilson Wang Wei Cheng Mak Chi Cheng
President Cuisine Candidate Service Candidate
Olivier Jacky Haar Joseph Papilio Evelyne Wamejonengo
President Cuisine Candidate Service Candidate
Jose Gabriel Echegoyen Prats Lance Ang-Santo Nicole Yee Chua
President Cuisine Candidate Service Candidate
Marvas Ng Ho Jia Yi Benjamin Ong
President Cuisine Candidate
Jang Byong Dong Lee Jun Yeong
President Cuisine Candidate Service Candidate
Phoeung Sakal Truong Gia Loc Le Van Thanh

Congratulations to Our Winners!

Competition Results for Cuisine, Service & Team Challenge

Cuisine Challenge

Cuisine Challenge

Team Singapore

Ho Jia Yi

Winner

Team South Korea

Lee Jun Yeong

First Runner-Up

Team China

Xie Arong

Second Runner-Up

Team Singapore

Ho Jia Yi

Winner

Team South Korea

Lee Jun Yeong

First Runner-Up

Team China

Xie Arong

Second Runner-Up

Service Challenge

Team Singapore

Benjamin Ong Yu Xiang

Winner

Team New Caledonia

Evelyene Wamejonengo

First Runner-Up

Team Indonesia

Agus Nanda Putra Prayoga

Second Runner-Up

Team Challenge

Team Indonesia and Team Philippines

Gold

Team Macau S.A.R. and Team Singapore

Silver

Team China and Team New Caledonia

Bronze

Winner

Ho Jia Yi, Team Singapore

First Runner-Up

Lee Jun Yeong, Team South Korea

Second Runner-Up

Xie Arong, Team South Korea

Meet Our Presidents

Robert Fontana

President of Disciples Escoffier International, Asia Pacific Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Institut Disciples Escoffier

About Robert Fontana

Entrepreneur at heart for the past four decades, Robert brings a wealth of experience in the Food & Beverage industry, from fine dining to food operations, including more than 20 years in Greater China.

Richard Gillet

Vice President of Disciples Escoffier International, Asia Pacific Founding Chaiman of The Cambodia Delegation

About Richard Gillet

Richard Gillet has over 20 years’ experience of serving Phnom Penh’s fine dining industry, Specialized in the production of new restaurant concepts. Culinary expertise in French fine-dining and bistro cuisine.

Robert Fontana

President of Disciples Escoffier International, Asia Pacific Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Institut Disciples Escoffier

Entrepreneur at heart for the past four decades, Robert brings a wealth of experience in the Food & Beverage industry, from fine dining to food operations, including more than 20 years in Greater China.

Richard Gillet

Vice President of Disciples Escoffier International, Asia Pacific Founding Chaiman of The Cambodia Delegation

Richard Gillet has over 20 years’ experience of serving Phnom Penh’s fine dining industry, Specialized in the production of new restaurant concepts. Culinary expertise in French fine-dining and bistro cuisine.

Competition Programmes

Time Programme
07:00 – 14:00 Young Talents Escoffier Cuisine and Service Competitions
Time Programme
07:00 – 14:00 Young Talents Escoffier Cuisine and Service Competitions
Time Programme
08:00 – 14:00 Presidents Team Bonding Mystery Box Challenge

Awards Ceremony (Luncheon)

Click on any of the teams below to check out their competition menu!

Team Cambodia and Team Malaysia 

Team China and Team New Caledonia

Team Indonesia and Team Philippines

Team Macau S.A.R. and Team Singapore

Team South Korea and Team Vietnam

Workshop Programmes

Time Programme
14:00 – 14:45 Chef Haikal Johari, Previously from Alma by Juan Amador (1 Michelin Star)
15:00 – 15:45 How Top Chefs Stay Motivated by Chef Emmanuel Stroobant from the Emmanuel Stroobant Group (2 Michelin Stars)
16:00 – 16:45 Chef Daniele Sperindio from Art Di Daniele Sperindio (1 Michelin Star)
Time Programme
14:00 – 14:45 Koshu of Japan by Ch’ng Poh Tiong
15:00 – 15:45 The Rise of Chinese Wine by Ch’ng Poh Tiong
16:00 – 16:45 Graham’s Aged Tawny Ports Vertical by Jorge Nunes from Symington Ports

Meet The Judges

Otto Weibel

Head Judge

Philip Golding

Head Judge

Alan Palmer

Judge

Christophe Megel

Judge

Thierry Muller

Head Judge

Derrick Lee

Judge

KK Kong

Judge

Mathias Camilleri

Judge

Photo Highlights

Competition Overview [sample]

Culinary

  • Individual Challenge

Culinary Art Display

  • Class 1 – Plated Dishest
  • Class 2 – Tapas / Finger Food

Practical Hot Cooking

  • Class 3 – Main Course Meat / Poultry / Game
  • Class 4 – Main Course Fish / Seafood
  • Class 5 – Main Course East Meets West Cuisine
  • Class 6 – Vegetarian

Team Challenge

  • Class 7 – Apprentice Team Challenge

Patisserie

  • Individual Challenge

Patisserie Practical

  • Class 8 – Practical Cake Decoration

Patisserie Art Display

  • Class 9 – Themed Cake
  • Class 10 – Plated Desserts
  • Class 11 – Petits Fours or Pralines
  • Class 12 – Pastry Showpiece
  • Class 13 – Artistic Sculpture

Competition Overview [sample]

FHA CUlinary Challenge – Categories For Singapore Competitors (Inclusive of 7% GST) For International Competitors (No GST)
Individual Challenge SGD 80.25 SGD 75.00
Apprentice Team Challenge SGD 160.50 SGD 150.00

Registration fees are not refundable. Each participant to consider competition requirements and other participation essentials such as travel arrangement and time outlay prior registering.

Meet The Judges

Alan Palmer
Judge

Alan Palmer was born in England and holds a Swiss passport. His sixty years of work experience in the Hospitality Industry has taken him to five continents, 4 years in UK, 12 years in Switzerland, 5 years in Kenya, over 18 years in Singapore and for the last 22 years he resides in Sri Lanka.

After obtaining his Culinary qualifications in the UK in 1966, he went on to enhance his culinary skills in Switzerland. In 1975 he started his teaching career and went to Kenya Utalii College (KUC) for 5 years, Les Roches Switzerland for 2 years and SHATEC Singapore for 11 years. He also conducted F&B Training programs in the Caribbean, Rwanda, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

Click here for more.

Ch’ng Poh Tiong
Judge for Service Theme

A Bordeaux specialist (with more than a hundred trips to the wine region), CH’NG Poh Tiong is also a world authority on Chinese wine and Japanese Koshu. He has been – since its inception in 2004 – Regional Chair Asia for the UK’s Decanter World Wine Awards. Ch’ng also contributes on China and Japan to the world’s best-selling wine guide Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Book. He is Chairman, Koshu Expert Committee of Japan; Co Chair, Young Talent Escoffier Culinary Competition Asia Pacific 2023; and, Chairman, The Tower Club Wine Awards. In 2012, CH’NG Poh Tiong was inducted at Blair Castle, Perthshire, as a Keeper of the Quaich, the highest honour in Scotch Whisky. A trained lawyer, he holds a postgraduate Certificate with Distinction in Chinese Art, School of Oriental & Asia Studies, University of London.

Mathias Camilleri
Judge for Service Theme

Mathias Camilleri is a head sommelier at Five Fields restaurant in south-west London. Originally from Paris, Mathias began his career in wine in 2011 at « Lycée Albert de Mun ». He started work straight after as a Commis Sommelier at the Vineyard at Stockcross in Newbury.

After six months the city of London called him and he joined the Sommelier team at Medlar Restaurant where he spent three years as a Sommelier.

In 2015 Mathias became UK Young Sommelier and International Young Sommelier Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

Sponsors

Sponsors [sample]

Gold Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Event Partners

Hotel Partners

Supported By

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Competition Winner [sample]

Champion

Food Technology

Czech Republic

1st Runner Up

FHA Culinary Challenge

New Zealand

2nd Runner Up

Complimentary Seminars

Taiwan

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