For the second year running, the award successfully adapted to a virtual grand final format, attracting top culinary talent across Australia and New Zealand.
Throughout the year nearly 100 talented young chefs competed in regional finals, to earn their chance to win the coveted title of Golden Chef of the Year.
Watch the 2021 Virtual Awards Now!
The grand finals stakes were high, with the top eleven chefs pushing themselves across (vegan) entrée, main and dessert courses.
The title for Golden Chef of the Year was tightly contested with the award attracting an outstanding level of talent in 2021. Female chefs dominated in the finalist line-up, and an unprecented five gold medals were awarded.
Golden Chef of the Year was awarded to Kimberly Tang, age 24, who has previously competed as a finalist in 2016 & 2017. Kimberly has also competed for Australia in both the prestigious Bocuse d’Or and Chaine des Rotisseurs. Check out her gold medal-winning dishes here
Kimberly has been awarded an AUD$10,000 cash prize to further her culinary career, along with dining vouchers courtesy of Best Restaurants Australia.
2021 Grand Finalist Results:
Kimberly Tang, Victoria – Golden Chef of the Year
Sarah Jones, South Australia – Gold & Most Creative Award
Jeremy Lackenby, NSW Metro – Gold & Most Sustainable Approach Award
Amber Heaton, South Queensland – Gold
Abbey Formentin, Western Australia – Gold
Jarrod Everett, Northern Territory – Silver
Semra Peach, Tasmania – Silver
Noah Cairnduff, Australian Capital Territory – Silver
Jayden Osbourne, North Queensland – Bronze
Ashleigh Handsaker, NSW Regional – Bronze
Samantha Warena, New Zealand – Participation
