Competition Page Banner

COMPETITION INFORMATION

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.

 

Regionals

 

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 

 

TBC – Western Australia, Perth

Location: Nth Metro TAFE Joondalup 

 

JULY

Tuesday 1 July 2025 – NSW Regional, Newcastle

Location: TAFE NSW Hamilton Campus 

 

Tuesday 8 July 2025 – Victoria, Melbourne

Location: William Angliss Institute

 

Tuesday 15 July 2025 – New South Wales Metro, Sydney

Location: TAFE NSW Ryde 

 

TBC –Tasmania, Hobart

Location: TBC

 

Saturday 19 July 2025 – South Queensland, Brisbane

Location: TAFE Queensland 

 

Tuesday 29 July 2025 – Australia Capital Territory, Canberra

Location: Canberra Institute of Technology 

 

TBC – North Queensland, Townsville

Location: TBC 

 

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.

 

Regionals