Luis Young Wins 8th Annual S.Pellegrino(R) Almost Famous Chef(R) Competition Co-Hosted by Lifestyle and Entertainment Expert Katie Lee and Celebrity Chef Ralph Pagano

GREENWICH, Conn., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunday night, Johnson & Wales University – North Miami student Luis Young was announced the winner of the 2010 S.Pellegrino® Almost Famous Chef® Competition at the finals event held at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, Calif. Luis defeated 10 top culinary students from the US, Canada and Italy with his winning dish, Herb Scented Seared Venison Tenderloin.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100309/CG67751)

The event was hosted by Cookbook Author and Culinary/Lifestyle expert Katie Lee and Celebrity Chef Ralph Pagano. Fabio Viviani of Top Chef fame hosted the competition portions of the event, which for the first time ever, were streamed live via the Almost Famous Chef website.

The three days of fierce competition were presided over by a prestigious group of judges that included Chef Michel Richard of Citronelle, Chef Rick Moonen of rm Seafood, Ralph Pagano, and Wade Wiestling of Oceanaire Restaurant. Esteemed media judges included Dana Cowin of Food & Wine, Andrew Knowlton of Bon Appetit, and Sophie Gayot of Gayot.com. Luis' prizes included $13,000 cash prize, a year-long paid apprenticeship with a participating chef, and the title of 2010 S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef.

"I thoroughly enjoy the process of mentoring, supporting and directing budding culinarians," said Rick Moonen. "This is my life and the S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition is a great way to guage the up and coming chefs."

The 11 finalists competed in three categories: the Signature Dish, Mystery Basket and People's Choice. Luis Young won the $3,000 Signature Dish prize for his innovative recipe, Herb Scented Seared Venison Tenderloin. Kendall College student Brian Schreiber won the Mystery Basket competition, earning him $3,000, which involved creating a plate with surprise ingredients: chicken, eggs and mushrooms. Peter Clark from New England Culinary Institute won the People's Choice Award, taking away $3,000 for his signature dish, Pan-Seared Halibut.

Another new addition this year was the Acqua Panna Fan Favorite Award. Nicholls State University – Chef John Folse Culinary Institute student Johnathan Lynch won $3,000 when the at-home viewers deemed him their personal favorite while watching the live feed. Fans of the competition can enter to win a trip for two to Napa for the 2011 finals competition via the Almost Famous website through Friday, March 12, and that winner will be announced on the Almost Famous website.

"I think winning is awesome, but I didn't come here to win, I came here to learn and it's been a great learning experience," said Luis. "Ultimately you compete with yourself and I think I did very well."

For more information on the competition and to view Luis Young's biography and winning recipe, visit www.almostfamouschef.com, www.thesparklinglife.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow the competition on Twitter at AFChefComp.

About the S.Pellegrino® Almost Famous Chef® Competition

For centuries, Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water and S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water have complemented fine food, wine and the dining occasion. In support of this passion for gastronomy and their commitment to the culinary arts, The Almost Famous Chef Competition was founded in 2001 as a mentoring program that connects top culinary students with established chefs and influential media. Since then, this program has helped to launch hundreds of culinary careers and refined the skills of a new generation of chefs. Through the Almost Famous Chef Competition, student chefs are given the opportunity to gain unmatched experience, while cooking in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world. For more information, please visit www.almostfamouschef.com, or for additional information or to access the award-winning student recipes, please visit www.thesparklinglife.com.

About the Author

Katie Lee is the food and lifestyle contributor for The Early Show and has appeared on Oprah, Today, Extra, The Martha Stewart Show, Paula's Best Dishes, and Iron Chef America. She is the author of two cookbooks, The Comfort Table and The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions, and has been featured in publications such as People, Vanity Fair, Town & Country, and InStyle, and writes a regular column for Cosmopolitan. Outside of her culinary adventures, she enjoys spending time in her organic garden and traveling. She lives in New York City.

SOURCE S.Pellegrino