Author Archives: Young Yun

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!

 

Danny Levy

Grant location: Saint Peter Sydney, Australia 

Immanuel Acuna

Grant location: Californios San Francisco, California 

Jillian Onstad

Grant location: Fort Negen Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Bridget Gomez

Grant location: Coda Dessert Dining Berlin, Germany 

Aaron Buendorf

Grant location: Ristorante la Madia Licata, Italy 

Juliet Auld

Grant location: Cafe Binnenvisser Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Keannie Rodriguez

Grant location: El Celler de Can Roca Girona, Spain 

Lucas Liljenberg

Grant location: San Ho Won San Francisco, CA 

Garrick Hirasawa

Grant location: Kohaku Tokyo, Japan 

Kaylen Colpitts

Grant location: Core, London, England

Ryan Walker

Grant Location:
Attica
Melbourne, Australia

Winnie Huang 

Grant Location:
Tarte
Singapore

Daniel Domkowski

Grant Location:
Jacques Torres Chocolate
New York, NY

 

Nick Bahan

Grant Location:
Restaurant DANIEL
New York, NY

 

Esther Ha

Grant Location:
Den in Tokyo, Japan and Restaurant Ester in Sydney, Australia 

           

Todd DalBello

Todd DalBello 

Grant location: Benu  San Francisco, CA 

Daniela Herrera

Daniela Herrera

Grant location: Grace Chicago, IL 

Mac Kilminik

Maciej Kilminik

Grant location: The White Barn Inn Kennebunk, ME

David Kneller

David Kneller

Grant location: Grace Chicago, IL

Melissa Kuhn (1)

Melissa Kuhn

Grant location: Benu  San Francisco, CA  

           

Daniel Moccia-Field

Daniel Moccia-Field

Grant locations: Bar Tartine & Manresa  San Francisco, CA

Bethania Pena

Bethania Penia

Grant location: Restaurant DANIEL New York, NY

Jessica Seely

Jessica Seely 

Grant location: Bayona  New Orleans, LA

Brandon Silver

Grant location: Noma Copenhagen, Denmark 

Jason Sipe

Jason Sipe

Grant locations:  Le Pigeon & Little Bird Bistro Portland, OR

           

Mary Catherine Edmondson

Mary Catherine Edmondson

Grant location: Saison San Francisco, CA  

Cassandra Torres

Cassandra Torres 

Grant locations: Restaurant DANIEL & Eleven Madison Park New York, NY

Hernan Martinez

Hernan Martinez

Grant location: RN74 San Francisco, CA  

CL1

Chris Laico

Grant location: Per Se New York, NY

2016-01-06-15-02-23-320-1

Angela Chung

Grant locations: Marguerite, l’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, & Bernachon Lyon, France

           

Alexander Yoon

Alexander Yoon

Grant location: Restaurant Mirazur, Menton, France

Lincoln Marquis

Lincoln Marquis

Grant location: Per Se New York, NY

Henry Molina

Henry Molina

Grant location: Noma Copenhagen, Denmark

Jonathan Tilles (1)

Jonathan Tilles

Grant locations: State Bird Provisions & Manresa SF/ Los Gatos, CA

Rob Drennan

Rob Drennan

Grant location: Maaemo Oslo, Norway

           
Gretchen Mulero

Gretchen Mulero Ortiz

Grant location:  Marea New York, NY

Kendall Ross

Kendall Ross

Grant location:  Restaurant DANIEL New York, NY  

JohnTroupis

John Troupis

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

Kaylin Lloyd

Kaylin Lloyd

Grant location: Attica Melbourne, Australia 

Michael Pini

Michael Pini

Grant location: Fäviken Järpen, Sweden

           
graysonaltenberg

Grayson Altenberg

Grant Location: The French Laundry Yountville, CA

Hoon Rhee

Hoon Rhee

Grant location: Narisawa & L’effervescence Tokyo, Japan

Bradleynicholson

Bradley Nicholson

Grant location: Amass Copenhagen, Denmark

elaine-smyth

Elaine Smyth

Grant location: The French Laundry Yountville, CA

Dan Filice

Grant location: Pineapple and Pearls Washington, DC

           
Michelle Moran

Michelle Moran

Grant Location: Bribery Bakery Austin, TX

Doug Brixton

Doug Brixton

Grant Location: La Maison Troisgros  Roanne, France 

Caitlin Head (1)

Caitlin Head

Grant Location: Asador Extebarri Atxondo, Spain

Rory Headshot

Rory Weber

Grant Location: Amass Copenhagen, Denmark

Randall Prudden

Randall Prudden

Grant Location: Pujol and Maaemo Mexico City, Mexico and Copenhagen, Denmark

           
Larry Nguyen

Larry Nguyen

Grant Location: Central Lima, Peru

Vincenzo Loseto

Vincenzo Loseto

Grant Location: Noma Copenhagen, Denmark

Ryan Peters (1)

Ryan Peters

Grant Location: The French Laundry Yountville, CA

Brendan Scott (3)

Brendan Scott

Grant Location: Atera New York, NY

Lou Perella

Lou Perella

Grant Location: Attica Melbourne, Australia

           
Alex Enright

Alex Enright

Grant Location: Noma Copenhagen, Denmark

Ileene Cho

Ileene Cho

Grant Location: Le Meurice Paris, France

Franklin Arguelles

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
San Francisco, CA

TJ Lewis

Grant Location:
Core by Clare Smyth London, England

Miguel Baez

Grant Location:
Mugartiz
Sebastian, Spain

           

 Joatta Siebert

Grant Location:
Noma 2.0
Copenhagen, Denmark

Alex Fuentes

Grant Location:
Amass
Copenhagen, Denmark

David Yoshimura

Grant Location:
Kagurazaka Ishikawa
Tokyo, Japan

Brady Harlan

Grant Location:
Chambre Séparée
Gent, Belgium 

Lauren McCann

Grant Location:
Jane
San Francisco, CA

           

Anthony Young

Grant Location:
Brae Restaurant
Birregurra, Australia

Kiran Kim

Grant Location:
Mirazur
Menton, France

Eric Marting

Grant Location:
Per Se
New York, NY

 

Stuart Sandquist

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

Zachary Close

Grant Location:
Amass
Copenhagen, Denmark

           

Danny Sterling

Grant Location:
Blackbird
Chicago, IL

Grace Kim

Grant Location:
Osteria Francescana
Modena, Italy

Joe maggio headshot

Joe Maggio

Grant Location:
Attica
Melbourne, Australia

Latera Copes headshot

Latara Copes

Grant Location:
Mirazur
Menton, France

Briana Witt

Grant Location:
Bo.Lan
Bangkok, Thailand

           

Alexandra Motz

Grant Location:
Room4Dessert 
Bali, Indonesia

Duy Nguyen

Grant Location:
Berlu 
Portland, OR

Jack Stewart headshot

Jack Stewart

Grant Location:
Quintonil
Mexico City, Mexico

Allison Tschida portrait Stage story crop

Allison Tschida

Grant Location:
Otium
Los Angeles, California

Zachary Swenson

Grant Location:
Disfrutar
Barcelona, Spain

 

         

Arun Astraelis

Grant Location:
Borago
Santiago, Chile

Mason McDaniel

Grant Location:
The Jane, Antwerp, Belgium

Evelyn Aloupas

Grant Location:
Restaurant A.T., Paris, France 

Justin Hillman

Grant Location:
L’Effervescence, Tokyo, Japan

Brianna Cruz Rabago

Grant Location:
Quay, Sydney, Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Torre Liebchen

etc steakhouse- Teaneck, NJ

Grant location: Schauenstein Schloss-
Switzerland

 

Michelle Moran

Michelle Moran

Chefs de France- Orlando, FL

Grant location: Bribery Bakery-
Austin, TX

 

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Eduardo Osorio

Café del Rey- Marina Del Rey, CA

Grant location: Restaurant DANIEL-
New York, NY

 

Kendall Ross

Kendall Ross

The Broadmoor- Colorado Springs, CO

Grant location: Restaurant DANIEL-
New York, NY

Doug Brixton

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

Vincenzo Loseto

The NoMad- New York, NY

Grant location: noma-
Copenhagen, Denmark

 

Stephanie Moreno

Stephanie Moreno

Restaurant DANIEL- New York, NY

Grant location: Martin Berasategui-
Lasarte-Oria, Spain

 

Lou Perella

Lou Perella

Olamaie- Austin, TX

Grant location: Attica-
Melbourne, Australia

 

Brendan Scott

Brendan Scott

La Folie- San Francisco, CA

Grant location: Atera –
New York, NY

Kevin Bui

Kevin Bui

One Restaurant, Chapel Hill, NC

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

 

Alex Enright

Alex Enright

The NoMad- New York, NY

Grant location: noma-
Copenhagen, Denmark

 

Lauren McCann

Lauren McCann

Apis Restaurant & Apiary- Austin, TX

Grant location: Jane-
San Francisco, CA

 

Gretchen Mulero

Gretchen Mulero Ortiz

Bouchon- Yountville, CA

Grant location: Marea-
New York, NY

 

Ryan Peters

Ryan Peters

Ocean Reef Club- Key Largo, FL

Grant location: The French Laundry-
Yountville, CA

 

Jonathan Tilles

Jonathan Tilles

Gramercy Tavern- New York, NY

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

Angela Chung

Angela Chung

Chefs de France- Orlando, FL

Grant location: Bocuse Restaurants-
Lyon, France

 

Caitlin Head

Caitlin Head

Semilla- Brooklyn, NY

Grant location: Asador Extebarri-
Spain

 

Henry Molina

Henry Molina

Eleven Madison Park- New York, NY

Grant location: noma-
Copenhagen, Denmark

 

Larry Nguyen

Larry Nguyen

Betony- New York, NY

Grant location: Central-
Lima, Peru

 

Randall Prudden

Randall Prudden

Spoon & Stable- New York, NY

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

2016 Young Chef & Commis Competition FAQs

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?

  • Yes

Is it ok if I bring smoking chips to smoke?

  • Yes

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

2015 Young Chef Competitors 

 

Bergen, Matthew New York, NY

Current Employer: Lupa Osteria Romana 

New York, NY

Matthew Bergen

 

Dengelegi, Michael Toms River, NJ

Current Employer: Bouchon Bistro

Yountville, CA

 

Foden-Clark, Lee Los Angeles, CA

Current Employer: Bouchon Bistro

Beverly Hills, CA

Lee Folden-Clarke

 

Garcia, Mark Bronx, NY

Current Employer: Winnisook Club 

Big Indian, NY

Mark Garcia

 

Kneller, David Greensboro, MD

Current Employer: Bartlett Pear Inn 

Easton, MD

David Kneller

 

 

Lansing, William Redondo Beach, CA

Current Employer: The Strand House 

Manhattan Beach, CA

William Lansing

 

Liebchen, Torre Hackensack, NJ

Current Employer: etc. steakhouse 

Teaneck, NJ

Torre Liebchen

 

Loff, Max Golden Valley, MN

Current Employer: Spoon and Stable 

Minneapolis, MN

Max Loff

 

McCarty, Zachary Staten Island, NY

Current Employer: El Vez

New York, NY

Zachary McCarty

 

Medina, Angel Austin, TX

Current Employer: Fixe 

Austin, TX

Angel Medina

 

Tribble, Michelle Dallas, TX

Current Employer: Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck

Dallas, TX

Michelle Tribble

 

Peters, Ryan Key Largo, FL

Current Employer: Ocean Reef Club 

Key Largo, FL

Ryan Peters

 

Serna, Mara Houston, TX

Current Employer: Treadsack 

Houston, TX

Mara Serna

 

Siegel, Corey Rye, NY

Current Employer: Westchester Country Club 

Rye, NY

Corey Siegel

 

Stover, Skylar Napa, CA

Current Employer: Hestan 

Anaheim, CA

USA Commis Skylar STOVER

 

Tokarz, Tim New York, NY

Current Employer: Café Boulud 

New York, NY

Tim Tokarz

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

William Aghajanian

 

Bahan, Nick

Bouchon Bistro – Yountville, CA

Grant location: Daniel – New York, NY

Nick Bahan

 

DalBello, Todd 

Zzest Café –  Rochester, MN

Grant location: Benu – San Francisco, CA

Todd DalBello

 

Domkowski, Daniel 

JBI, LLC – Lake Buena Vista, FL 

Grant location: Jacques Torres – New York, NY

 Daniel Domkowski

 

Drennan, Robert

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Maaemo – Norway

 Robert Drennan

 

Edmondson, Mary Catherine

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Saison – San Francisco, CA

Mary Catherine Edmondson

 

Grodence, Dan

Acme Food & Beverage – Carrboro, NC

Grant location: The French Laundry – Yountville, CA

Dan Grodence

 

Herrera, Daniela

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Grace – Chicago, IL

Daniela Herrera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

David Kneller

 

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

Christopher Laico

 

Martinez, Hernan 

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: RN74 – San Francsico, CA

Hernan Martinez

 

Marquis, Lincoln 

Louisa County High School – Mineral, VA

Grant location: Per Se – New York, NY

Lincoln Marquis

 

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

Daniel Moccia-Field

 

Mosier, Jonathan 

The Country Smokehouse – Almont, MI

Grant location: Bouchon – Beverly Hills, CA

Jonathan Mosier

 

Mouchet, William 

Bouchon Bistro – Yountville, CA

Grant location: Team USA

Will Mouchet

 

 

Pena, Bethania

Santina – New York, NY

Grant location: Daniel – New York, NY

Bethania Pena

 

Schesher, Greg

Lower 48 Kitchen –  Denver, CO

Grant location: Team USA

Greg Schesser

 

Sedlacek, Jessica 

The French Laundry-  Yountville, CA

Grant location: Per Se – New York, NY

Jessica Sedlacek

 

Seely, Jessica 

801 Fish – Leawood, KS

Grant location: Bayona – New Orleans, LA

 

Silver, Brandon 

Qui – Austin, TX

Grant location: Noma – Denmark

Brandon Silver

 

Sipe, Jason 

Pacific Lutheran University – Tacoma, WA

 Grant location: Le Pigeon – Portland

Jason Sipe

 

Torres, Cassandra 

Les Chefs de France – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Grant location: Daniel/Eleven – Madison Park, NY

Cassandra Torres

 

Wang, Jenny 

I Forgot It’s Wednesday – San Francisco, CA

Grant location: Atera – New York, NY

Jenny Dorsey

 

Whitlam, Samantha

Grant location: The Dinex Group – New York, NY

 

Samantha Whitlam