Panama hosts the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Latin America final

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Latin America final lands in Panama City for the first time, bringing together 15 young cooks from across the region from September 27 to 30.

Each finalist will cook a single Signature Dish on competition day, September 29, judged on technique, creativity and personal conviction about gastronomy's power to change things, according to the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy. Finalists were selected by ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine.

Colombia sends the largest delegation

Fifteen young cooks, one signature dish each, and a single ticket to Milan.

Colombia has the biggest presence with four finalists: Daniela Díaz Fuertes of DON DOH Parrilla Japonesa, Diana Pérez of Humo Negro, Heisy Córdoba of Pajares Salinas and Diego Ramírez of Selma restaurante, according to Revista Diners. Peru is represented by Leonardo Fassioli of Chakana Bar and Christian Navarrete of Efímero, while Chile's Tomás Paz cooks for Hotel Sheraton Santiago. The remaining places in the 15-strong field go to cooks from other countries across the region, rounding out a group the Academy describes as representing more than 30 nationalities across Latin America and the Caribbean.

A five-strong regional jury will judge the dishes: Marsia Taha Mohamed of Bolivia, Luiz Filipe Souza of Brazil, Jaime David Rodríguez Camacho of Colombia, Jaime Pesaque of Peru and Alejandra Navarro of Mexico.

A ticket to Milan is on the table

Beyond the main prize, judges will also hand out the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award, the Fine Dining Lovers Prize and the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award. The regional winner advances to the Grand Finale in Milan in 2027, joining winners from Europe, Asia, Africa and North America in the worldwide final.

The competition arrives as Latin America's culinary profile keeps rising: The World's 50 Best Restaurants will hold its 2026 ceremony in Lima on November 4, the first time the event has come to Peru. Panama City's turn as regional host adds another stop to a year already thick with awards for young Latin American cooks.