Australia’s longest running culinary competition for young chefs, now in its 52^nd year, is all about supporting young chefs – the future of the industry – to develop their cooking skills and broaden their culinary horizons.

Already proving to be a milestone year the 2017 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award, run in partnership with Nestlé Professional and the Australian Culinary Federation, has seen more teams enter across the country than ever before with the national finalists set to go on to be some of the industry’s brightest talents.

To secure a spot in the national finals, competing chef teams first have to successfully navigate the regional heats. With eleven cook-offs just wrapped across the country over 290 young chefs have had their cooking skills put to the test, going up against their peers to create two-course menus carefully thought out to impress the judging panel with the chance to win medals scored against nationally recognised standards.

With the last regional heat just wrapped in Tasmania, ten proud winning teams are now going forward to represent Australia’s top culinary talent at the National Finals in Sydney this September, where the pressure will be on as they battle it out over two days in front of a live audience in purpose built kitchens at Fine Food Australia.

Check out the full 2017 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award finalist line-up here.

Head Judge and Executive Chef at Nestlé Professional, Mark Clayton says, “Taking part in the Award makes you push yourself to the next level. Competing is vital to the professional development of young chefs, you learn so much from this type of experience. Putting yourself up to be judged on your culinary talent is tough, but this is ultimately how you hone your skills, build your networks and get your name out there.”

This year’s national champions will be announced at an exclusive industry Awards Night where they will be awarded a once in a lifetime culinary trip to Vietnam.

Come and watch the competition unfold at Fine Food Australia from 11 – 14 September. Find out more.