Later this year, the culinary world will converge on Milan, Italy, as the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition Grand Finale selects the top young culinary talent from around the world. Among the 15 international finalists, Canada will have its own Victoria Rinsma, a young rising star whose creativity and technique are attracting international recognition.
A Plate of Legacy and Innovation
Rinsma earned her spot at the Grand Finale with her win of the Canadian title at the national version of the competition last year. Her personal tribute and culinary showcase dish, “Across the Sea and Home Again,” is inspired by the comforting flavors of Canada’s East Coast, drawing from her grandmother’s kitchen. The dish blends tradition with new artistry as it combines heritage ingredients with state-of-the-art techniques learned at the renowned Hexagon Restaurant kitchen in Oakville, Ontario. Rinsma ended up crafting a plate not only pleasing to the judges’ eyes, but also full of joyous celebration of Canada’s culinary identity.
A Tale of Mentoring and Legacy
An outstanding mentorship enhances Rinsma’s experience. She has the direction of Executive Chef Rafael Covarrubias, a mentor who appreciates the significance of this competition from personal experience. Covarrubias won the Canadian title in 2019 and represented Canada at the Milan Grand Finale in 2021. As a mentor now, he shares his experience, vision, and passion when preparing Rinsma for this competition, creating a recognizable connection between two generations of Canadian talent. Together, Rinsma and Covarrubias emulate a unifying cause: sharing the richness, diversity, and creativity of Canadian cuisine on the global stage. Their collaboration bears witness to how mentorship not only fine-tunes technique but also strengthens the cultural narrative at the core of cuisine.
Rising on the Culinary Map of the World
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition ranks as one of the top-level culinary competitions at the international level, focusing on identifying individuals under the age of 30 with exceptional talent, vision, and creativity. For Canada, Rinsma’s participation in Milan is greater than the competition, as it creates the opportunity for the country to showcase its culinary narrative on the international stage.
As she enters the kitchen alongside the world’s brightest young chefs, Rinsma bears with her a dish of home, of homeland, and hope for the future of Canadian cuisine. Win or lose, her tale—and the mentorship that drives it—is already motivating the next crop of chefs to innovate while never losing their roots.
