To honor the extraordinary legacy of Chef André Soltner, we are excited to share that our Ment’or Grant Program has been officially renamed the Chef André Soltner Grant Program for Ment’or. 

The Grant Program was built on the tradition of master chefs teaching and training the next generation — opportunities that were often difficult to access or afford. We set out to create a program that would help aspiring young talent in the U.S. pursue their dreams and build meaningful careers.

This renaming celebrates Chef Soltner’s lifelong dedication to mentorship, education, and culinary excellence. Not only was he among the most talented chefs in the kitchen, he was also a tireless advocate and leader for the culinary profession. We believe this new name perfectly reflects the values and mission upon which the grant program was founded — and the principles we will continue to uphold.

Over the course of his remarkable career, Chef Soltner famously missed only five services. His commitment extended far beyond the restaurant kitchen; he devoted his heart and energy to teaching and mentoring countless young chefs. His quiet support helped spark and sustain countless culinary careers, always believing in the power of helping dreams come true.

Chef Soltner has also been an integral part of Ment’or from the very beginning. His energy lit up every competition he judged and every conversation he had with an aspiring chef. One of his proudest moments was celebrating alongside the team when the U.S. won Gold at the Bocuse d'Or in 2017.

To learn more about the Grant Program, including future application information, please see the Program Detail page.