2026 Young Chef & Commis Competitions

As we continue to build our legacy and nurture the next generation of culinary talent, we are proud to present the 2026 Young Chef and Commis Competitions on April 16th in Las Vegas. These competitions identify exceptional young cooks on the rise and connect them with an influential network of mentors and culinary leaders, including Chefs Thomas Allan, Paul Bartolotta, Jérôme Bocuse, William Bradley, Gerard Craft, Steven Greene, Jeffery Hayashi, Gavin Kaysen, Thomas Keller, Timothy Hollingsworth, E.J. Lagasse, Alex Lee, Mawa McQueen, Kevin Meehan, Roland Passot, Mathew Peters, Melissa Rodriguez, Richard Rosendale, Dr. Tim Ryan, and Robert Sulatycky.

The winning team will earn the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Lyon, France to support Team USA at the 2027 Bocuse d’Or Finale, an unparalleled experience at one of the world’s most prestigious culinary competitions.

We invite you to join us to cheer on our Young Chef teams and Commis candidates as they compete before a distinguished panel of judges, including former Team USA head chefs and members of our Culinary Council. The evening will conclude with a celebration dinner at Bouchon at The Venetian Las Vegas, where we will also commemorate our 18th anniversary.

Event Schedule

Thursday, April 16, 2026
8:30AM – 4:30PM: Young Chef and Commis Competitions + Awards Ceremony
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

Thursday, April 16, 2026
7:00PM: Special Ment’or 18th Anniversary Dinner
Location: Bouchon Las Vegas at The Venetian Resort 

Kindly see below for available ticket options.

To book rooms at the Venetian Resort under the Ment’or room block, reserve here

By entering this event you agree to be photographed or filmed and consent to the following:
I hereby irrevocably authorize and grant permission to Ment’or, their successors and assigns, and their respective officers authorized by them (collectively, “Grantees”), to use, separately or together, my name, picture, or other likeness, in whole or in part, in connection with this Ment’or event in any and all media now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, broadcast and cable television, industrial media, and internet) throughout the world, in perpetuity.

*Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol; please drink responsibly. All times subject to change.

Thank You To Our Sponsors & Supporters: 

2026 Young Chef & Commis Competitions

As we continue to build our legacy and nurture the next generation of culinary talent, we are proud to present the 2026 Young Chef and Commis Competitions on April 16th in Las Vegas. These competitions identify exceptional young cooks on the rise and connect them with an influential network of mentors and culinary leaders.

The winning team will earn the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Lyon, France to support Team USA at the 2027 Bocuse d’Or Finale, an unparalleled experience at one of the world’s most prestigious culinary competitions.

We invite you to join us to cheer on our Young Chef teams and Commis candidates as they compete before a distinguished panel of judges, including former Team USA head chefs and members of our Culinary Council.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
April 16th, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Tickets: Complimentary
We’d be delighted to have you attend the competition as our guest. Please secure your ticket below.

By entering this event you agree to be photographed or filmed and consent to the following:
I hereby irrevocably authorize and grant permission to Ment’or, their successors and assigns, and their respective officers authorized by them (collectively, “Grantees”), to use, separately or together, my name, picture, or other likeness, in whole or in part, in connection with this Ment’or event in any and all media now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, broadcast and cable television, industrial media, and internet) throughout the world, in perpetuity.

Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol; please drink responsibly. All times subject to change.

Please join us for the 2025 Ment’or Grant Gala honoring Chef André Soltner and his lifelong commitment to mentorship. The Gala is hosted by Chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, and their extraordinary colleagues:

Cosme Aguilar · Thomas Allan · Franklin Becker · Jonathan Benno
Rodrigo Campos · Shaun Hergatt · Gavin Kaysen · Alex Lee · Angie Mar
Charlie Mitchell · Junghyun Park · Melissa Rodriguez · Stefano Secchi
Sungchul Shim · Cedric Vongerichten · Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Rooted in the tradition of master chefs mentoring the next generation, the
Grant Program offers life-changing opportunities—grants that open doors, education that expands horizons, and connections that link ambitious young professionals with the world’s most distinguished chefs.

 Since 2014, we have awarded over $2.2 million in grants to young chefs. Helping these chefs stage around the world is integral to our mission of building a successful pipeline of talent in the U.S. and establishing America as a leader in the global culinary community. 

With your support, we can continue to shape the next generation of great
American culinary leaders!

Tuesday, November 11th
6:00 PM | Cocktail Reception
6:45 PM | Dinner 

Restaurant Daniel 
60 East 65th Street 
New York, NY 10065

Dress code for the evening is Cocktail Attire.   

Thank You To Our Sponsors & Supporters: 

If you are unable to attend but wish to support, please click HERE

Event details are subject to change. Tickets are non-refundable. Price does not include accommodations or travel. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility. Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol; please drink responsibly.

By entering this event you agree to be photographed or filmed and consent to the following:

I hereby irrevocably authorize and grant permission to Ment’or, their successors and assigns, and their respective officers authorized by them (collectively, “Grantees”), to use, separately or together, my name, picture, or other likeness, in whole or in part, in connection with this Ment’or event in any and all media now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, broadcast and cable television, industrial media, and internet) throughout the world, in perpetuity.

Please join Chefs Michael Anthony, Paul Bartolotta, Daniel Boulud, Danny Garcia, Thomas Keller, Gavin Kaysen, Sungchul Shim, and Ming Tsai as we celebrate the 11th anniversary of our charity golf tournament. We are excited to return to Deepdale Golf Club, a private and exclusive golf club in Manhasset, New York, renowned for its challenging course and storied history.

This tournament is named after one of our great supporters and founding Board members, Joel Buchman, who was dedicated to building a strong network and community of young American cooks for the restaurant profession. Your support helps provide aspiring culinarians access to unique educational opportunities, valued mentors, and crucial resources for Team USA at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France. 

We hope you can join us for one of our favorite events of the year:

Deepdale Golf Club

300 North Service Road
Manhasset, NY 11030

Monday, September 8, 2025

10:00 AM: Registration + Breakfast
11:30 AM: Shotgun Start
4:30 – 7:00 PM: Cocktail + Dinner Reception and Awards Ceremony

TICKET INFORMATION

Basic Foursome: $15,000
Fair market value is $4000

Foursome Paired with Chef Golfer: $25,000
Fair market value is $3000

Includes greens fees, caddie fees, breakfast, on-course lunch, refreshments throughout the day, and cocktail and dinner reception prepared by featured Chefs Cosme Aguilar, Doug Brixton, Cesare Casella, Eric Huang, Daniel Le, Alex Lee, Angie Mar, Helen Nguyen, Justin Smilie, Prime Food Distributors, and Pure Bred. Awards ceremony to follow.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email dave@mentorbkb.org

If you are unable to join us but would like to donate or sponsor a chef, please click here.

Terms & Conditions: Tickets are non-refundable. Price does not include accommodations or travel. All net proceeds will be donated to Ment’or, Ltd. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility. Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol; please drink responsibly. By purchasing tickets, you agree to abide by course rules and regulations. 

Special Thanks To: 

 Celebrate the Return of the Bocuse d’Or

in New Orleans  

We are thrilled to announce the Bocuse d’Or Americas competition will once again be held in New Orleans in 2026. Join us for an exclusive evening in support of the event, featuring an intimate gathering with Chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Jérôme Bocuse. The event will take place on February 12, 2025, beginning at 6:30 PM with cocktails, followed by dinner and entertainment at 7:30 PM.

We are proud that the global culinary spotlight will be highlighting New Orleans once again, a city rich in culinary tradition. We hope you will join us in the special evening to support both Ment’or and Team USA.

VIP Ticket: $2500 per person

Location: W.P. Brown Mansion, 4717 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115

Attire: Black Tie

If you cannot join us but would still like to support Ment’or, please click here to donate!

By entering this event you agree to be photographed or filmed and consent to the following:

I hereby irrevocably authorize and grant permission to Ment’or, their successors and assigns, and their respective officers authorized by them, to use, separately or together, my name, picture, or other likeness, in whole or in part, in connection with this Ment’or event in any and all media now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, broadcast and cable television, industrial media, and internet) throughout the world, in perpetuity.

Come watch Team USA 2025 Live in Lyon!  

Bocuse d’Or Finals on January 26-27, 2025| Lyon, France

Team USA will be competing at the 2025 Bocuse d’Or in Lyon. We have reserved grandstand seat tickets for the competition that are available for purchase. Please note that in order to enter the Eurexpo/SIRHA convention center where the Pastry World Cup (January 25) and the Bocuse d’Or (January 26-27) are held, you will have to sign up for a general entrance badge with a supporter code. Please email jaimie.chew@mentorbkb.org or young.yun@mentorbkb.org for a supporter code.

Inside the competition arena, we have reserved grandstand seats on each day of the Bocuse d’Or. 

Reserved Grandstand Seating:

*Provides reserved seating for one person on each day of the Bocuse d’Or (Jan 26, 27). *Includes a Team USA official scarf and cheer gear. *The Bocuse d’Or organizers have asked that each person takes their seat on each day by 10:30AM otherwise they will be given away. 

Dinners

Ment’or will be hosting private dinners in Lyon to support Team USA’s participation at the Bocuse d’Or. Join the Ment’or Board, Culinary Council chefs, and sponsors for delicious food and fun to celebrate being in Lyon. 

*January 25, 2025: Dinner at Restaurant Le Suprême. Address: 106 Cours Gambetta. Attire: Casual

*January 26, 2025: Dinner at Restaurant Maison Têtedoie. Address: 4 Rue Professeur Pierre Marion. Attire: Elegant Casual

*January 27, 2025: Dinner and After Party at Restaurant Brasserie L’Est. Address: 14 Place Jules Ferry. Attire: Casual

Come watch Team USA 2025 Live in Lyon!  

Bocuse d’Or Finals on January 26-27, 2025 | Lyon, France

Team USA will be competing at the 2025 Bocuse d’Or in Lyon. We have reserved grandstand seat tickets for the competition that are available for purchase. Please note that in order to enter the Eurexpo/SIRHA convention center where the Pastry World Cup (January 25) and the Bocuse d’Or (January 26-27) are held, you will have to sign up for a general entrance badge with a supporter code. Please email jaimie.chew@mentorbkb.org or young.yun@mentorbkb.org for a supporter code.

Inside the competition arena, we have reserved grandstand seats on each day of the Bocuse d’Or. 

Reserved Grandstand Seating:

*Provides reserved seating for one person on each day of the Bocuse d’Or (Jan 26, 27).
*Includes a Team USA official scarf and cheer gear.
*The Bocuse d’Or organizers have asked that each person takes their seat on each day by 10:30AM, otherwise they will be given away.

Support Team USA on their Road To Lyon! 

Help send Team USA to the world’s most prestigious culinary competition, the Bocuse d’Or in Lyon, France. Ment’or Culinary Council Chef Gerard Craft, and 15 other local chefs are creating an experiential, walk-around event featuring unique chef-prepared dishes, created specifically for this occasion. Come join Chefs Justin Carlisle, Joe Flamm, Matt Accarrino, Johnny Leach & Helen Jo, Ancy Ticer & Michael Hudman, Amy Mills, Craig Rivard, Loryn Nalic, Aaron Martinez & Michael Gallina, David Sandusky, Matt Daughaday, Ben Poremba, Jesse Mendoza & Mike Risk, Joshua Lanning and Suji Shaw for this amazing evening in support of Team USA.

“Ment’or has been transformative in changing the way American chefs are perceived on the global stage. Supporting Team USA as they compete in Lyon isn’t just about winning a competition—it’s about fostering mentorship and giving young chefs the opportunity to train with the best. The dedication and passion these chefs bring is inspiring, and I’m proud to be part of an organization that invests in their future.”

Chef Gerard Craft
Chef/Owner, Niche Food Group
Ment’or Culinary Council Member

Ticket Levels and Pricing:

General Admission: $150
Includes access to the event’s chef stations, as well as an open bar with beer, wine, and signature cocktails.

Early Admission: $200
Enjoy early entry to be the first to sample all signature dishes & open bar, along with a special welcome toast upon arrival
(Only 50 tickets available!)

VIP Admission: $250
In addition to early access, VIP guests will receive entry to the exclusive chef afterparty at None of the Above and a curated swag bag. (Only 25 tickets available!).

To purchase tickets for this special event, click here.

Event details are subject to change. Tickets are non-refundable. Price does not include accommodations or travel. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility. Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol; please drink responsibly.

By entering this event you agree to be photographed or filmed and consent to the following:

I hereby irrevocably authorize and grant permission to Ment’or, their successors and assigns, and their respective officers authorized by them, to use, separately or together, my name, picture, or other likeness, in whole or in part, in connection with this Ment’or event in any and all media now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, broadcast and cable television, industrial media, and internet) throughout the world, in perpetuity.

If you cannot join us but would still like to support Ment’or, please click here to donate!

Ment’or is celebrating 10 Years of our Grant Program!

Join Host Chef Daniel Boulud, Chefs Grant Achatz, Kyle Connaughton, Wylie Dufresne, Markus Glocker, Gavin Kaysen, Thomas Keller, Angela Mar, Mawa McQueen, Yoonsoo Park, Missy Robbins, Sungchul Shim, Cedric Vongerichten, and friends for a special evening at Restaurant DANIEL to commemorate this special milestone. Our Ment’or Grant Program provides aspiring young culinarians with unprecedented access to ongoing training and education from leading mentors around the world. Since our program started in 2014, we have awarded over $2.0 million in grants and hope to provide at least $350,000 in grants this year. Our Grant Program is integral to our mission of building a successful pipeline of talent in the US and establishing America as a leader in the global culinary community. 

Ment’or Grantee Lauren Poag who chose to stage at Core Restaurant with Chef Clare Smyth in London describes her time as “an amazing experience to get to go to Core and get to experience the restaurant and environment. I feel I gained so much as a chef; I moved with more intent, I was faster everyday at my tasks. The tough environment helped encourage me to want to be better. Working in this environment helped me challenge myself and put my skills that I have learned over the years to the test. This experience has taught me perseverance, patience, and humility in the kitchen and I believe I am a far better chef after this experience.”

We hope we can count on your support to provide more experiences so that young cooks like Lauren can continue to be inspired and educated and that we can continue to build the next generation of great American culinary leaders!

Tuesday, October 15th
6:00 PM | Cocktail Hour
7:00 PM | Dinner 

Restaurant Daniel 
60 East 65th Street 
New York, NY 10065

Dress code for the evening is Cocktail Attire.

Thank You To Our Sponsors: 

If you are unable to attend but wish to support, please click HERE

Event details are subject to change. Tickets are non-refundable. Price does not include accommodations or travel. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility. Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol; please drink responsibly.

By entering this event you agree to be photographed or filmed and consent to the following:

I hereby irrevocably authorize and grant permission to Ment’or, their successors and assigns, and their respective officers authorized by them (collectively, “Grantees”), to use, separately or together, my name, picture, or other likeness, in whole or in part, in connection with this Ment’or event in any and all media now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, broadcast and cable television, industrial media, and internet) throughout the world, in perpetuity.