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2018-19 Grant Recipients

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2018-19 GRANT RECIPIENTS!

Miguel Baez

Born and Raised
San Diego, CA

Brady Harlan

Husk Charleston
Charleston, SC

Ki Ran Kim

Per Se
New York, NY

Guido Parodi

Garrison at the Fairmont Austin
Austin, TX

John Taube

The NoMad
New York, NY

Anthony Young

Épicerie Boulud
New York, NY

Ken Chan

Here’s Looking at You
Los Angeles, CA

Robert Hartman

EMP Winter House
Aspen, CO

TJ Lewis

Pineapple & Pearls
Washington, D.C.

Stuart Sandquist

Bellecour
Wayzata, MN

Kevin Torres

Bar Boulud Boston
Boston, MA

Jeremy David

Hawaii Convention Center
Honolulu, HI

Winnie Huang

Union Square Café
New York, NY

Alexandra Motz

Spoon and Stable
Minneapolis, MN

Joatta Siebert

Travail Kitchen and Amusements
Minneapolis, MN

Briana Witt

Peche Seafood Grill
New Orleans, LA

Alexander Fuentes

SingleThread Farms
Healdsburg, CA

Grace Kim

The French Laundry
Yountville, CA

Casey Palermino

The Willows Inn
Lummi Island, WA

Kelsey Takara

Piggy Smalls
Honolulu, HI

David Yoshimura

Californios
San Francisco, CA

2017-18 Grant Recipients

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2017-18 GRANT RECIPIENTS!

Franklin Arguelles

Roy’s Ko Olina – Kapolei, HI

Grant locations:
Den & La Bonne Table – Tokyo, Japan

Ileene Cho

L’Appart – New York, NY

Grant Location:
Le Meurice – Paris, France

Chase Evans

South Congress Hotel – Austin, TX

Grant Location:
The French Laundry – Yountville, CA

Sarah Hsieh

Per Se – New York, NY

Grant Location:
Amass – Copenhagen, Denmark

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Joe Maggio

BOKA – Chicago, IL

Grant Location:
Attica – Melbourne, Australia

Samuel Meono Salazar

Pineapple and Pearls – Washington, DC

Grant Locations:
Benu & Atelier Crenn – San Francisco, CA

Kyungwon (Jamie) Yoo

Bellecour – Wayzata, MN

Grant Location:
Attica – Melbourne, Australia

Travon Boykins

Cured – San Antonio,
TX

Grant location TBD

Zachary Close

Café Boulud – New York, NY

Grant Location:
Amass – Copenhagen, Denmark

David George

Blue Hill – New York, NY

Grant Location:
Central – Lima, Peru

Christopher Huang

Del Posto – New York, NY

Grant Locations:
Saison & PABU Izakaya – San Francisco, CA

Sophia Manatakis

Uncle Nick’s – New York, NY

Grant Location TBD

Ally Nguyen

The NoMad – New York, NY

Grant Location:
L’Astrance – Paris, France

Sean Cahalan

Benu – San Francisco, CA

Grant locations:
Pavillion Ledoyen, Alléno Paris – Paris, France

Emily Costello

Newhall Refinery – Santa Clarita, CA

Grant Location:
Meyers Bageri – Copenhagen, Denmark

Grace Goudie

Ad Hoc – Yountville, CA

Grant Location:
Le Bernardin – New York, NY

Nicholas Intonti

Juniper – Austin, TX

Grant Location TBD

Oscar Mata

The Carolina Inn – Chapel Hill, NC

Grant Location:
L’Auberge du Pont de Collognes – Lyon, France

Katherine Rock

Del Posto – New York, NY

Grant Locations:
Atelier Crenn/Petit Crenn & Flour + Water – San Francisco, CA

Ana Castro

Coquette – New Orleans, LA

Grant Location TBD

Sam Daigle

Canoe Bay – Chetek, WI

Grant Location: Restaurant AT – Paris, France

Esther Ha

Momofuku Ko – New York, NY

Grant Locations:
Den – Tokyo, Japan
Esther – Sydney, Australia

Rebecca L. Kozlowski

Daniel – New York, NY

Grant Location:
Plaza Athénée – Paris, France

Angel Medina

Barley Swine – Austin, TX

Grant Location TBD

Elizabeth Styles

Minibar by Jose Andres – Washington, DC

Grant Location:
Attica – Melbourne, Australia

2016-17 Grant Recipients

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Congratulations to the 2016-17 Grant Recipients!

Grayson Altenberg

Lincoln Ristorante,
New York, NY

Grant location:
The French Laundry,
Yountville, CA

Christopher Audia

No. 9 Park, Boston, MA

Grant location:
La Pergola,
Rome, Italy

Ethan Bensal

Untitled, New York, NY

Grant locations:
State Bird Provisions,
San Francisco & The French
Laundry, Yountville, CA

Alex Brown

Omni Bedford Springs
Resort & Spa, Bedford, PA

Grant location:
The French Laundry,
Yountville, CA

Christopher Ferrell

Bartlett Pear Inn, Easton, MD

Grant location: TBD

Dan Filice

La Folie, San Francisco, CA

Grant location:
Pineapple and Pearls,
Washington, DC

Cesar Gutierrez

Café Boulud, New York, NY

Grant location: Mirazur,
Menton, France

Alexandra Inkley

DANIEL, New York, NY

Grant location: Le Meurice,
Paris, France

Kaylin Lloyd

Betony, New York, NY

Grant location: Attica,
Melbourne, Australia

Eric Marting

Omni Barton Creek Resort
& Spa, Austin, TX

Grant location: Per Se,
New York, NY

Bradley Nicholson

Barley Swine, Austin, TX

Grant location: AMASS,
Copenhagen, Denmark

Michael Pini

The NoMad, New York, NY

Grant location: Faviken, Jarpen,
Sweden

Elaine Smyth

Per Se, New York, NY

Grant location: The French
Laundry, Yountville, CA

John Troupis

Betony, New York, NY

Grant location: Victor’s Fine
Dining by Christian Bau, Perl,
Germany

Amanda Turner

Juniper, Austin, TX

Grant location: TBD

Ryan Walker

The NoMad/ Eleven Madison
Park, New York, NY

Grant location: Attica,
Melbourne, Australia

Rory Weber

Per Se, New York, NY

Grant location: AMASS,
Copenhagen, Denmark

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Stage Stories

Click on the photos below to learn more about each grantee’s stage. Check back as we continue to update our page with more stories!

Todd DalBello Grant location: Benu San Francisco, CA	Daniela Herrera Grant location: Grace Chicago, IL	Maciej Kilminik Grant location: The White Barn Inn Kennebunk, ME	David Kneller Grant location: Grace Chicago, IL	Melissa Kuhn Grant location: Benu San Francisco, CA
Daniel Moccia-Field Grant locations: Bar Tartine & Manresa San Francisco, CA	Bethania Penia Grant location: Restaurant DANIEL New York, NY	Jessica Seely Grant location: Bayona New Orleans, LA	Brandon Silver Grant location: Noma Copenhagen, Denmark	Jason Sipe Grant locations: Le Pigeon & Little Bird Bistro Portland, OR
Mary Catherine Edmondson Grant location: Saison San Francisco, CA	Cassandra Torres Grant locations: Restaurant DANIEL & Eleven Madison Park New York, NY	Hernan Martinez Grant location: RN74 San Francisco, CA	Chris Laico Grant location: Per Se New York, NY	Angela Chung Grant locations: Marguerite, l’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, & Bernachon Lyon, France
Alexander Yoon Grant location: Restaurant Mirazur, Menton, France	Lincoln Marquis Grant location: Per Se New York, NY	Henry Molina Grant location: Noma Copenhagen, Denmark	Jonathan Tilles Grant locations: State Bird Provisions & Manresa SF/ Los Gatos, CA	Rob Drennan Grant location: Maaemo Oslo, Norway
Gretchen Mulero Ortiz Grant location: Marea New York, NY	Kendall Ross Grant location: Restaurant DANIEL New York, NY	John Troupis Grant location: Victor’s Fine Dining by Christian Bau Nennig, Germany	Kaylin Lloyd Grant location: Attica Melbourne, Australia	Michael Pini Grant location: Fäviken Järpen, Sweden
Grayson Altenberg Grant Location: **The French Laundry Yountville, CA**	Hoon Rhee Grant location: Narisawa & L’effervescence Tokyo, Japan	Bradley Nicholson Grant location: Amass Copenhagen, Denmark	Elaine Smyth Grant location: The French Laundry Yountville, CA	Dan Filice Grant location: Pineapple and Pearls Washington, DC
Michelle Moran Grant Location: **Bribery Bakery Austin, TX**	Doug Brixton Grant Location: *La Maison Troisgros* Roanne, France	Caitlin Head Grant Location: *Asador Extebarri* Atxondo, Spain	Rory Weber Grant Location: *Amass* Copenhagen, Denmark	Randall Prudden Grant Location: *Pujol and Maaemo* Mexico City, Mexico and Copenhagen, Denmark
Larry Nguyen Grant Location: Central Lima, Peru	Vincenzo Loseto Grant Location: *Noma* Copenhagen, Denmark	Ryan Peters Grant Location: *The French Laundry* Yountville, CA	Brendan Scott Grant Location: *Atera* New York, NY	Lou Perella Grant Location: *Attica* Melbourne, Australia
Alex Enright Grant Location: Noma Copenhagen, Denmark	Ileene Cho Grant Location: Le Meurice Paris, France	Franklin Arguelles Grant Location: Den and La Bonne Table Tokyo, Japan	Rebecca Kozlowski Grant Location: Hotel Plaza Athenée Paris, France	Davey George Grant Location: Central Restaurante Peru
Sarah Hsieh Grant Location: Amass Restaurant Copenhagen, Denmark	Chase Evans Grant Location: The French Laundry Yountville, CA	Sam Daigle Grant Location: Restaurant A.T Paris, France	Susana Querejazu Grant Location: Le Meurice Paris, France	Katherine Rock Grant Location: Petit Crenn, Atelier Crenn & Water + Flour San Francisco, CA
Emily Costello Grant Location: Meyers Bageri *Copenhagen, Denmark*	Oscar Mata Grant Location: L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges Lyon, France	Lizzie Styles Grant Location: Attica Melbourne, Australia	Christopher Huang Grant Location: Saison and Pabu San Francisco, CA	Rose Weiss Grant Location: Restaurant Frantzén & Mathias Dahlgren Stockholm, Sweden
Christopher Audia Grant Location: La Pergola Rome, Italy	Robert Hartmann Grant Location: El Celler de Can Roca Girona, Spain	Samuel Meono Grant Location: Benu, Crenn Dining Group San Francisco, CA

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2015-16 GRANT RECIPIENTS!

See what our grantees are up to on Instagram: #mentorgrants.

Joe Becerra

Apple Headquarters- Austin, TX

Grant location: Brae-
Sydney, Australia

Matthieu Cabon

Chefs de France- Orlando, FL

Grant location: Maison Pozzoli & Boulangerie Jocteur- Lyon, France

Torre Liebchen

etc steakhouse- Teaneck, NJ

Grant location: Schauenstein Schloss-
Switzerland

Michelle Moran

Chefs de France- Orlando, FL

Grant location: Bribery Bakery-
Austin, TX

Eduardo Osorio

Café del Rey- Marina Del Rey, CA

Grant location: Restaurant DANIEL-
New York, NY

Kendall Ross

The Broadmoor- Colorado Springs, CO

Grant location: Restaurant DANIEL-
New York, NY

Doug Brixton

Café Boulud- New York, NY

Grant location: La Maison Troigrois-
Lyon, France

Latara Copes

Le Cirque- New York, NY

Grant location: Mirazur-
Menton, France

Vincenzo Loseto

The NoMad- New York, NY

Grant location: noma-
Copenhagen, Denmark

Stephanie Moreno

Restaurant DANIEL- New York, NY

Grant location: Martin Berasategui-
Lasarte-Oria, Spain

Lou Perella

Olamaie- Austin, TX

Grant location: Attica-
Melbourne, Australia

Brendan Scott

La Folie- San Francisco, CA

Grant location: Atera –
New York, NY

Kevin Bui

One Restaurant, Chapel Hill, NC

Grant locations: Pineapple & Pearls/ Rose’s Luxury (Washington DC) & Canlis (Seattle, WA)

Alex Enright

The NoMad- New York, NY

Grant location: noma-
Copenhagen, Denmark

Lauren McCann

Apis Restaurant & Apiary- Austin, TX

Grant location: Jane-
San Francisco, CA

Gretchen Mulero Ortiz

Bouchon- Yountville, CA

Grant location: Marea-
New York, NY

Ryan Peters

Ocean Reef Club- Key Largo, FL

Grant location: The French Laundry-
Yountville, CA

Jonathan Tilles

Gramercy Tavern- New York, NY

Grant location: State Bird Provisions- San Francisco; Manresa- Los Gatos, CA

Angela Chung

Chefs de France- Orlando, FL

Grant location: Bocuse Restaurants-
Lyon, France

Caitlin Head

Semilla- Brooklyn, NY

Grant location: Asador Extebarri-
Spain

Henry Molina

Eleven Madison Park- New York, NY

Grant location: noma-
Copenhagen, Denmark

Larry Nguyen

Betony- New York, NY

Grant location: Central-
Lima, Peru

Randall Prudden

Spoon & Stable- New York, NY

Grant location: Pujol- Mexico City, Mexico; Maaemo- Oslo, Norway

2016 Young Chef & Commis Competition FAQs

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Can I bring pre-prepared items that take longer than the 2 hours and 35 minutes given?

The following is a list of pre-prepared items that are acceptable to bring:

Raw, Yeast-Raised Doughs: Example, puff pastry, brioche, etc.
Stocks: these may be partially reduced but not sauce consistency
Rendered Fats: Duck Fat, Beef Fat, etc.
Smoked fats
Infused oils
Powders
Non-reduced jus or fortified stock (as long as it is not a finished sauce)

Please let the Foundation know what you will be bringing, so that we can provide final approval.

Are we allowed to bring in things such as bone marrow, truffles, foie gras, etc?

Yes, however, please submit any additional protein items you wish to bring.

What prep can I do ahead of time?

Unless approved by the Foundation or included in the list above, cut or cooked items will be allowed. It is recommended that all ingredients be cleaned ahead of time, and root ends may be trimmed.
Peeled vegetables and fruit are acceptable but they may not be shaped in the process.
It is recommended that all items be scaled and measured ahead of time as much as possible.

Can I combine ingredients before I arrive or during the prep time?

No, all items must be kept separate; any items that are found pre-mixed will need to be separated before the competition begins or they will be removed from the candidate’s kitchen.

Can I bring hydrocolloids and measure them ahead of time?

Is it ok if I bring smoking chips to smoke?

What happens if two or more competitors need circulators, robot coupes, and kitchen aid mixers? Do we need to adjust our time-lines to share?

All candidates are encouraged to inform the foundation of their shared equipment needs so we can be sure all candidates have what they need during the competition.

What type of tasks and prep work is allowed during set-up time?

Candidates may set up their stations with all equipment and food items.
All appliances, stove, ovens, immersion circulator, etc may be turned on.
Water may be placed in pots or bowls but no food items may be placed in any of them.

May I bring my own pasta roller?

Yes, however, any additional equipment needs to be approved directly by the Foundation.

Can I present my dish whole to the judges before slicing?

No, all candidates may only present their dish as a plated presentation.

With the final dish, can there be a supplement dish or a sauce to be poured tableside?

All items must be served on the ten plates with the exception of one sauce that may be served by the candidate or service team at the judges’ table.

Do we receive complimentary tickets for family and friends?

For Young Chefs, you and your assistant will each receive 2 complimentary tickets; Commis candidates will also receive 2 complimentary tickets.

Note: We encourage you to work with mentors/ coaches, but they will not be able to come in to the kitchen during your prep/ competition time.

Ment’or Young Chef Competition Series

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2015 Young Chef Competitors

Bergen, Matthew New York, NY

Current Employer: Lupa Osteria Romana

New York, NY

Dengelegi, Michael Toms River, NJ

Current Employer: Bouchon Bistro

Yountville, CA

Foden-Clark, Lee Los Angeles, CA

Current Employer: Bouchon Bistro

Beverly Hills, CA

Garcia, Mark Bronx, NY

Current Employer: Winnisook Club

Big Indian, NY

Kneller, David Greensboro, MD

Current Employer: Bartlett Pear Inn

Easton, MD

Lansing, William Redondo Beach, CA

Current Employer: The Strand House

Manhattan Beach, CA

Liebchen, Torre Hackensack, NJ

Current Employer: etc. steakhouse

Teaneck, NJ

Loff, Max Golden Valley, MN

Current Employer: Spoon and Stable

Minneapolis, MN

McCarty, Zachary Staten Island, NY

Current Employer: El Vez

New York, NY

Medina, Angel Austin, TX

Current Employer: Fixe

Austin, TX

Tribble, Michelle Dallas, TX

Current Employer: Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck

Dallas, TX

Peters, Ryan Key Largo, FL

Current Employer: Ocean Reef Club

Key Largo, FL

Serna, Mara Houston, TX

Current Employer: Treadsack

Houston, TX

Siegel, Corey Rye, NY

Current Employer: Westchester Country Club

Rye, NY

Stover, Skylar Napa, CA

Current Employer: Hestan

Anaheim, CA

Tokarz, Tim New York, NY

Current Employer: Café Boulud

New York, NY

#mentorgrants

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Keep up with the ment’or grantees using #mentorgrants on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2014-15 GRANT RECIPIENTS!

See what our grantees are up to on Instagram: #mentorgrants

Aghajanian, William

Per Se – New York, NY

Grant location: Brae – Australia/Elkano – Spain

Bahan, Nick

Bouchon Bistro – Yountville, CA

Grant location: Daniel – New York, NY

DalBello, Todd

Zzest Café – Rochester, MN

Grant location: Benu – San Francisco, CA

Domkowski, Daniel

JBI, LLC – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Grant location: Jacques Torres – New York, NY

Drennan, Robert

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Maaemo – Norway

Edmondson, Mary Catherine

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Saison – San Francisco, CA

Grodence, Dan

Acme Food & Beverage – Carrboro, NC

Grant location: The French Laundry – Yountville, CA

Herrera, Daniela

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Grace – Chicago, IL

Hodson, David

The French Laundry – Yountville, CA

Grant location: Atera – New York, NY

Kilimnik, Maciej

Les Chefs de France – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Grant location: The White Barn Inn – Kennebunk

Kneller, David

Batlett Pear Inn – Easton MD

Grant location: Noma – Denmark

Kuhn, Melissa

Per Se – New York, NY

Grant location: Benu – San Francisco, CA

Laico, Christopher

Bouchon Bistro – Yountville, CA

Grant location: Per Se – New York, NY

Martinez, Hernan

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: RN74 – San Francsico, CA

Marquis, Lincoln

Louisa County High School – Mineral, VA

Grant location: Per Se – New York, NY

McKinney, Jason

The French Laundry – Yountville, CA

Grant location: Maison Pic – France

Moccia-Field, Daniel

Betony Restaurant – New York, NY

Grant location: Bar Tartine/Manresa – San Francisco, CA

Mosier, Jonathan

The Country Smokehouse – Almont, MI

Grant location: Bouchon – Beverly Hills, CA

Mouchet, William

Bouchon Bistro – Yountville, CA

Grant location: Team USA

Pena, Bethania

Santina – New York, NY

Grant location: Daniel – New York, NY

Schesher, Greg

Lower 48 Kitchen – Denver, CO

Grant location: Team USA

Sedlacek, Jessica

The French Laundry- Yountville, CA

Grant location: Per Se – New York, NY

Seely, Jessica

801 Fish – Leawood, KS

Grant location: Bayona – New Orleans, LA

Silver, Brandon

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Noma – Denmark

Sipe, Jason

Pacific Lutheran University – Tacoma, WA

Grant location: Le Pigeon – Portland

Torres, Cassandra

Les Chefs de France – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Grant location: Daniel/Eleven – Madison Park, NY

Wang, Jenny

I Forgot It’s Wednesday – San Francisco, CA

Grant location: Atera – New York, NY

Whitlam, Samantha

Grant location: The Dinex Group – New York, NY