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 (15^th May — 3^rd September 2026)
• Aged between 18 years old as of 1 March 2026 and under 25 years old as of 31 December 2026
• 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.

Terms & Conditions Apply

Key Dates

9^th March: Online Entry Opens

15^th May: Online Entry Closes

June-July: Round 2 Regional and Metro Cook-offs

August: Regional & Metro Cook-off winners published on goldenchefs.com.au

31^st August – 1^st September: Round 3 Grand Final Cook-offs

2^rd September: Industry Awards Night

How to Enter

Complete and submit the registration form. You’ll then be directed to a page that will confirm your successful registration and receive a confirmation email.

YOU HAVE UNTIL 15^th MAY (11.59pm AEST) TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION FORM.

Eligible entrants will then get to cook-off against other chefs at the regional heats (between June – July). You will be notified by 25^th May of your assigned regional or metro cook-off.

The top 11 winning chefs from Round 2 across Australia and New Zealand will then go on to compete in Round 3: The Grand Final Cook-off, which will be held in the ACF Culinary Challenge Arena at Fine Food Australia in Melbourne, Victoria between 31^st August and 1^st September 2026.

The finalists will be judged by a panel of Australian Culinary Federation & NZChefs accredited judges

The Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year & other category winners will be announced at an Industry Awards night on 2^nd September 2026.

Finalists need to be available from 29^th August – 3^rd September 2026 inclusive. Reasonable travel costs including accommodation will be provided. Note: Date/location is subject to change.

At the grand finals, one chef will take out the Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year title and win an exclusive 7-day international culinary trip and work experience to Singapore, valued at $10,000 AUD!