The 7th annual S.Pellegrino^® Almost Famous Chef^® Competition brought together culinary students from 40 top schools around the U.S. and Canada for a spirited cooking competition. Entrants were judged on their cooking skills and their potential star quality.

S. Pellegrino congratulates Connecticut Culinary Institute student David Awad, this year's title winner, for his Pan-Seared Lamb Loin with a Red Wine Honey and Mint Glaze. In addition to cash and other prizes, David also wins a paid apprenticeship under one of the elite chef judges. Chef Awad's recipe will be featured on thesparklinglife.com this fall.

As part of our five year-long commitment to Share Our Strength, San Pellegrino is joining thousands of restaurants across the country in supporting this year's Great American Dine Out (September 20-26). During that week, a portion of your check at participating restaurants will go towards fighting childhood hunger in the U.S.
Click here for more details.

Another way you can help in this important cause is by attending your local Taste of the Nation event, where you get to enjoy signature creations from some of the most innovative chefs and mixologists in the country while helping ensure that no kid in America goes hungry. Click to find an event

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How can you balance the acidity of tomatoes in marinara sauce?

Add a finely diced carrot at the beginning when you first sauté your onion and garlic

This rich Spanish sauce is used for seafood or grilled veggies but also works as a dip for bread or pita.

Just puree a ½ cup of roasted hazelnuts with 4 halved and roasted tomatoes, 8 cloves of garlic and an ancho chili. Add 2 - 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar and process until smooth. Add 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil and pulse until incorporated.

A combination of aromatics like leeks, carrot, celery, and sometimes bacon and fresh herbs that is used as a foundation for sauces and soups.

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In 2002, S.Pellegrino^® started the S.Pellegrino^® Almost Famous Chef^® Competition celebrating the best of emerging talent from the top culinary schools across the United States.

Learn more about the
Almost Famous Chef