Rafael Covarrubias, chef of Hexagon Restaurant in Oakville, Ontario, won the North American regional final in the S.Pellegrino Young Chef competition.

The winner of the competition, chef Rafael Covarrubias, will work with his assistant Connie DeSousa at the CHARCUT Roast House restaurant in Calgary, Alberta for six months for the grand final in Milan. Chef Covarrubias will work to present the “Mole Negro Spiced Muscovy Duck, Preserved Prune, and Winter Roots” signature dish even better.

Chef Jeremy Stephens won the “Acqua Panna Award for Connection in Gastronomy” with the Crawfish Boil signature dinner.

Chef Marvin Palomo won the “Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award” for his signature dish “Dungeness Crab Chowanmushi” while Chef Kathryn Ferries received the “S.Pellegrino Award for Social Responsibility”.