2026 MENT'OR YOUNG CHEF & COMMIS COMPETITIONS

The Men’tor Young Chef & Commis Competitions (YCC) return to Las Vegas on April 14-15, 2026, with two premier competitions designed to spotlight the next generation of American Culinary Talent.

In the Young Chef competition, candidates 28 years of age and younger select an assistant to train and compete alongside them. Young Chefs have 2 hours and 30 minutes to cook and plate a unique dish. The Commis competition is for cooks 21 years of age and younger. Each commis will have 90 minutes to showcase his or her technical skill and execution.

Finalists must create an original recipe featuring a signature protein, announced upon selection of the finalists. Judges will evaluate each team's/candidate's preparation of the selected protein, along with excellence in overall taste, presentation and kitchen organization.

Competitors are guided by an extraordinary network of mentors, including some of the world’s most celebrated chefs. Past juries have featured culinary luminaries such as Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jérôme Bocuse, Paul Bartolotta, Justin Cogley, Gerard Craft, Olivier Dubreuil, Chris Hastings, Tim Hollingsworth, Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Gavin Kaysen, Roland Passot, Mathew Peters, Francis Reynard, Rich Rosendale, Curtis Stone, and Philip Tessier.

Prizes

First place winners in the Young Chef and Commis competitions earn the opportunity to travel to Lyon, France, where they will support Team USA at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or Finale, one of the most rigorous and celebrated culinary competitions in the world. Second place winners will be hosted at the Bocuse d’Or Americas Selection in New Orleans, July 2026. All travel, accommodations, and meals are provided for both experiences. Both first and second place winners also have the option to receive a cash prize instead.*

 

TO APPLY FOR THE 2026 YOUNG CHEF COMPETITION, CLICK HERE.

TO APPLY FOR THE 2026 COMMIS COMPETITION, CLICK HERE.

 

YOUNG CHEF (TEAM) COMPETITION	COMMIS (INDIVIDUAL) COMPETITION
Applicant must be an American citizen Applicant must be between 22 and 28 years of age at the date of the competition Applicant must have at least 3 years of kitchen restaurant experience  An assistant must be selected by the chef applicant and must be an American citizen Young Chef teams will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to cook and plate portions of their dish, based on the selected protein	Applicant must be an American citizen            Applicant must be 21 years of age or younger at the date of the competition Candidate selected for the Commis Competition cannot participate as an assistant for the Young Chef Competition. Commis candidates will have 90 minutes to cook and plate portions of their dish, based on the selected protein

For application questions, please email our Competitions Manager at amanda@mentorbkb.org. 

*Please note that Ment'or may issue IRS forms to prize winner if required by law.