The sous chef of Durban’s The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate has claimed victory at the Africa, Middle East, and South Asia regional finals of the acclaimed competition.
At the prestigious awards gala dinner—held at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel—Chef Luckson Mare was announced as the winner of the regional finals of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition.
Mentored by The LivingRoom’s Chef Johannes Richter, Luckson presented a dish of duck, sweet potato, and matungulu (Natal coastal plum), which secured his victory.
“It really is such a privilege to have won. In a way, it feels like the world has suddenly opened up to me, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to go to Milan to compete and meet so many of my culinary heroes. I’m so grateful to the jury for not only enjoying my dish but also appreciating and understanding the story behind it. And, of course, I’m deeply thankful to my mentor, Chef Johannes, for his continuous support and guidance,” commented Chef Luckson on winning the award.
The dish was inspired by his food journey to date, which began as a child in his mother’s kitchen. As the youngest of five, it was always his responsibility to help with the cooking—and his journey continues today, where he is now one of three sous chefs at The LivingRoom – regarded as one of the country’s best restaurants.
Speaking of his inspiration for the dish, he credits both his mother and mentor: “My mother loves sweet potato and could tell just from taste and texture when it was harvested. I’ve taken this humble root and paired it with duck—a poultry which, to me, is symbolic of fine dining and what I’ve learnt in the industry, especially butchering. I’ve cooked it along with the wild, foraged matungulu, paying homage to Chef Johannes, who has taught me so much—not only in the kitchen but also about foraging and sourcing endemic and indigenous ingredients.”
The two-day competition saw 15 young chefs from Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia vying for the title. Luckson was chosen as the winner by a jury of esteemed chefs from across the region: Bertus Basson (South Africa), Akmal Anuar (Dubai), and Roaya Saleh (Bahrain).
It’s a win of which mentor Johannes couldn’t be prouder: “Watching Luckson’s growth as a chef since he joined us three years ago has been remarkable, and his winning here is really special for the entire team at The LivingRoom and Summerhill. It’s also incredibly humbling and encouraging to see how he has wholeheartedly embraced our ethos of sustainability, locality, and deep respect for indigenous ingredients—which he has showcased throughout his dish.”
The accolade will see him representing the Africa, Middle East, and South Asia region at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Grand Finale in Milan next year.