Young chefs from Costa Rica and Mexico qualify for S. Pellegrino regional finals

Several young chefs from Costa Rica and Mexico have advanced to the Latin American and Caribbean regional final of the S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy 2026-2027. The competition is scheduled to take place in Panama from September 27 to 30.

Representing Costa Rica are Mauro Jiménez Togas, chef at El Silencio Lodge, and Allan Flores of Amana Escalante. Jiménez will present ‘Memorias’, a dish featuring beef oxtail, corn, honey, and arracache, aimed at connecting personal memories with culinary tradition.

Mexico will be represented by Rodrigo Pacheco Reyes and Kevin Chávez Cazarin. Pacheco Reyes, returning for his second competition, will present ‘Milpa del Pacífico’, a concept merging Oaxacan agricultural heritage with Pacific coastal flavors. Chávez Cazarin, from Yucatán, will compete with a dish titled ‘Entre el mar y el traspatio’.

The selection process evaluated technical skill, creativity, sustainability, and the ability to convey a personal vision. Out of more than 170 participants, only 15 chefs were selected for this regional stage.