Applications Open for Good Food Guide's Young Chef of the Year Award

Applications are now officially open for the prestigious Young Chef of the Year award, presented by Smeg in association with The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guides. This esteemed accolade aims to recognize and promote emerging culinary talent under the age of 30 in Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The award offers a significant opportunity, featuring prizes valued at $10,000 in Smeg appliances as well as professional mentoring for the winners.

Finalists will be invited to showcase their culinary skills at exclusive dinners in Sydney and Melbourne, with the winners announced during the Good Food Guide Awards, scheduled for October 2025. The competition highlights the importance of nurturing young chefs who demonstrate not only exceptional cooking skills but also a commitment to community engagement and collaboration within the culinary industry.

Notable past winners include Phil Wood, Brett Graham, Lauren Eldridge, and Andrew McConnell, who have significantly influenced the Australian culinary landscape. In 2024, the award was claimed by Luke Bourke, a sous-chef at Rockpool Bar and Grill, while Saavni Krishnan from Mauritian-inspired wine bar Manze was recognized by The Age.

To qualify for the Young Chef of the Year award, applicants must be permanent residents of Australia, under 30 years old, and currently working in the kitchen of a restaurant, though they cannot be executive chefs or owners. Head chefs may apply if an executive chef is also part of the kitchen team. The application process requires candidates to complete an online form by August 24, 2025. Following this, selected finalists will undergo face-to-face interviews with a panel of industry leaders on September 1 in Sydney and September 8 in Melbourne.

The Young Chef of the Year award not only emphasizes culinary excellence but also encourages chefs to support their peers and contribute positively to their communities. As the culinary landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like this play a crucial role in fostering the next generation of culinary talent in Australia. For more information or to apply, interested chefs can visit the Good Food Guide website or reach out via email at goodfoodguide@nine.com.au.