COMPETITION INFORMATION
Entries for the 2025 Nestlé Golden Chef's Hat Award have now closed! Register your interest for competing in 2026 here.
Who Can Enter?
Apprentice and junior chefs, who are:
- Australian or New Zealand residents or a holder of a valid visa during the competition period (16 May – 11 September, 2025).
- Aged from 16 and under 25 years on 31st December 2025.
- A culinary student or currently employed (or recently employed within past 12 months) in a culinary profession (e.g., chef, cook, apprentice) and have the consent of their employer prior to entering.
Regional & Metro Cook–offs
The first phase of the competition is the Regional & Metro Cook-Offs (Round 2), see below for dates and locations. Each chef will prepare and present in 2.5 hours, two covers of each course: Main (Hot: Protein with appropriate accompaniments) and Dessert (Hot or cold).
The dishes will be judged to globally recognised standards with the opportunity to win medals at each stage.
2025 Australia & New Zealand Regional Dates and Locations
JUNE Saturday 14 June 2025 – New Zealand North Island, Auckland Location: Auckland University of Technology
Tuesday 17 June 2025 – NSW Regional, Grafton Location: TAFE NSW Grafton
Tuesday 24 June 2025 – Northern Territory, Darwin Location: Charles Darwin University
Wednesday 25 June 2025 – South Australia, Adelaide Location: TAFE SA Regency Campus
Thursday 26 June 2025 – New Zealand South Island, Christchurch Location: ARA Institute of Canterbury
Sunday 29 June 2025 – Western Australia, Perth Location: Nth Metro TAFE Joondalup
| JULY Tuesday 8 July 2025 – Victoria, Melbourne Location: William Angliss Institute
Tuesday 15 July 2025 – New South Wales Metro, Sydney Location: TAFE NSW Ryde
Thursday 17 July 2025 – Tasmania Location: TAFE Drysdale Launceston Campus
Saturday 19 July 2025 – South Queensland, Brisbane Location: TAFE Queensland
Tuesday 29 July 2025 – Australia Capital Territory, Canberra Location: Canberra Institute of Technology, Woden Campus* *Please note there will only be induction stoves available at this location.
AUGUST Wednesday 13 August, 2025 – NSW Regional, Newcastle Location: TAFE NSW Ourimbah Campus |
Please note that NSW Regional will consist of two heats in the following towns (Newcastle & Grafton). The NSW Regional participant who scores the highest points from the two NSW Regional heats will be invited to participate in Round 3.
Grand Finals
The successful winners from the Regional & Metro Cook-Offs, will compete at the Grand Final Cook-off, to be held in the ACF Culinary Challenge Arena at Fine Food Australia on Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th September 2025. The winner will be announced at an Industry Awards Dinner on Wednesday 10th September.
