Twenty-year-old chef Cristina Sánchez has taken first place in the inaugural edition of the Xef Jove 2025 competition, held this Thursday at the Balearic Islands School of Hospitality. This is the first time the award has been granted within the Art Jove programme.

Sánchez, who recently completed her culinary assistant studies at Mater, received €1,500 in cash and an additional €2,100 scholarship to attend a specialised course at the Basque Culinary Centre in 2026.

The awards ceremony was presided over by the Minister for Business, Self-employment and Energy, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro; the Director-General for Families, Childhood, Youth, Diversity and Equality, Catalina Isern; and the director of IBJOVE, Tomás Amer.

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Cristina Sánchez wins the first prize of the Xef Jove 2025 culinary competition, awarded by IBJOVE

The jury — made up of renowned chefs Miquel Calent (chair), Tomeu Caldentey, businesswoman Xisca Pocoví, food journalist Lydia Larrey, and contest secretary Natàlia Rabassa — decided to award second prize jointly to Pablo Izquierdo and Carlos Zafra, who will each receive €750.

Other finalists included Jorge Lozano, Penélope Paz, Alba Rascón and Cati Vigo, all of whom were required to prepare a dish incorporating three mandatory local ingredients: pork, red wine with D.O., and potatoes.

As part of the event, attendees were invited to taste and vote for the best tapa made with olive oil biscuit, created by contestants who did not advance to the final. The winning tapa was prepared by Claudia Bonilla.