Australian Professional Chef of the Year

32 chefs compete against the clock and each other to produce their two best dishes using featured ingredients, all in front of a live audience.

Watch Australia's hottest chefs compete

Australian Professional Chef of the Year is one of the most prestigious and intense culinary competitions in the industry, where professional chefs push their creativity, skills, and ingenuity to the limit. This is the ultimate pressure test, as chefs are not only competing against one another but also racing against the clock in front of a live audience. The competition demands flawless technique and a deep understanding of flavor, as chefs must craft two exceptional dishes using a carefully selected set of featured ingredients.

The competition’s defining moment is the mystery box challenge, where the 32 finalists are presented with key ingredients and tasked with preparing four servings each of an entrée and a main dish. The challenge is to highlight the unique flavors of these ingredients while demonstrating culinary innovation. With every dish meticulously judged, the chefs are evaluated on taste, presentation, and overall execution. Points are awarded for visual appeal, flavor harmony, and technical mastery.

Chef of the Year represents the pinnacle of culinary excellence, attracting the best chefs from around the country. Only the most skilled and creative will rise to the top, earning not just recognition, but the coveted title of Chef of the Year.

Applications close Friday 18th April.

Congratulations to our finalists

Aaron Rodrigues – Atlantic Group
Allen Varghese – Crown Resort
Antoine Potier – Restaurant Dan Arnold
Arpan Sharma – NRMA Tasmania parks and resorts
Craig Dowling – RACV City Club
Dan Marsalek – Hungry Chef Catering
Edward Badger – Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Emanuele pelonero – Hedonist Restaurant Collaroy
Evan Burrows – Mac and Cheesy Group
Grant Parry – The Star Gold Coast
Jack Lee – The Raw Geelong
Jessica Hall – Mercers Restaurant
Liam Brnic – Portofinos
Louis SEO – KatsuCo Brisbane
Matthew Carnell – Bistro Terroir
Michael Hutchings – The Cotton Club
Michelle Van Sittert – Surveyor General Inn
Pablo Zambrano – Sofitel Noosa Pacific
Peter Sheldon – The european
Princess Anne Uy – Delaware North
Ray Allan Reta – Robinvale golf club
Richmond Rodrigues – Aanuka Beach House
Rino Kim – Steakhouse Grill 66
Sam Smith – The Growers by Ponte
Saugat Shrestha – Sydney Restaurant Group
Sean Cameron – Elsewhere @ SAM
Sebastian Buechner – County club Tasmania
Shaneel Naidu – The Naked Tree Cafe / Restaurant
Simon Bold – Taste By Bold Cuisine
Steve Jang – The Australian club
Stuart Walsh – The Shearing Shed

2025 Judges & Hosts

Glenn Flood

MC
Global Hospitality Group

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John McFadden

Head Judge
Squizify

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Beth Candy

Judge
Hotel Sorrento

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Jerry Mai

Judge
Roll’d

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Mark Normoyle

Judge
Fonterra

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Markus Werner

Judge
Delaware North

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Chef of the Year: Expert tips from Glenn Flood on how to succeed

Whether you’re aspiring to earn a Michelin star or lead a kitchen brigade, entering Chef of the Year can be a game-changer. As a Chef of the Year Judge, Glenn Flood knows what it takes to compete in high-stakes competitions. He sat down with Bidfood to share his top tips for chefs looking to take out the top prize in the Chef of the Year and other cooking competitions.

Australian Professional Chef of the Year Sponsors

Register to Compete

Ready to show the culinary world what you’ve got? Fill in your details below for your chance to compete in the 2025 Australian Professional Chef of the Year Competition.

Applications close Friday 18th April.

Entries for Australian Professional Chef of the Year 2025 have now closed.