Thirty-two of the best professional chefs from around Australia will compete in the prestigious Chef of the Year competition. It runs at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 30 April – 2 May alongside the Foodservice Australia expo.
Competition Director Peter Wright says the vast number of entries from senior chefs demonstrates this title has become one of the most sought-after in the Australian culinary world. And with $10,000 cash and valuable prizes up for grabs it is also one of Australia’s richest competitions for chefs.
Mr Wright says, “This is a real pressure test. Chefs compete against the clock and each other to produce their two best dishes using featured ingredients, all in front of a live audience. You have to be calm, clean and in control. Sometimes the best dishes are also the simplest ones, which allow the produce to shine.”
The winner from last year Konstantin Putkin from The Virgin Kitchen in Hepburn will be back to defend his title. He will be up against a number of previous finalists, including Kimberley Fitzpatrick from the Sebel in Yarrawonga, Dino Ng from the W Hotel in Brisbane, Tommy Prosser from Hospitality Works and Jack Lee from Nook Dining in Point Cook who won the crown back in 2017.
Chefs competing for the first time this year include Wing Hung from doot doot doot; Davide Amato from Loti; Saugat Shrestha from Esca Bimbadgen; Henriette Jensen from Pinelli Estate Winery; Michael Hutchings from The Cottom Club; Karl Nicholson from Nomadical and Christin Dynia from The Conservatory.
Also, for the first time there will be three chefs competing from the health care sector. They are David Martin from St Vincents Care, Kuke Stephens from Uniting Care and Andrew Wisken from Warringal Private Hospital.
Mr Wright says, “This really shows how far this style of catering has advanced in the last five years.”
Head Judge John McFadden leads a team of highly experienced judges including chefs Mark Normoyle, Telina Menzies, Gary Johnson, Jenna Louise Cunningham, Beth Candy, Scott Pickett, Jerry Mai, George Colombaris and Andrew Ballard. Popular food personalities Glenn Flood and Tawnya Bahr will be MCs for the event.
The competition is proudly presented by Anchor Food Professionals, Bidfoods and Unox Ovens. Additional support is provided by Leeuwin Coast, All Rosie Promotions, Oil2U, SAJ Fruit, Tasty Spices and the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Foodservice Australia is the dedicated trade show for the food and hospitality industry. There will be over 350 exhibitors showing the latest food, drink and equipment as well as free workshops and stages. Entry is free but you must be 16 and work in the hospitality industry.
For more information, visit foodserviceaustralia.com.au.
The finalists
Eduardo Esponel Sous Chef, Australian Turf Club NSW
Evan Burrows Area Chef, Australian Venue Co Victoria
Rose Bass Head Chef, Corvo Bar + Kitchen WA
Wing Yeung Hung Head Chef, Doot doot doot Victoria
Saugat Shresha Chef, Esca Bimbadgen NSW
Trevor Jenkins Teacher, Holmesglen Victoria
Tommy Prosser Executive Chef, Hospitality Works NSW
Marvin Tan Chef, Innocent Bystander Victoria
Davide Amato Executive Chef, Loti Victoria
Stefano Paolillo Sous Chef, Machiavelli NSW
Jessica Hall Sous Chef, Mercers Restaurant Victoria
Nick Kavenagh Junior Sous, Mimis NSW
Matthew Kennedy Executive Chef, Mr Miyagi Victoria
Richmond Rodrigues Head Chef, Muse Kitchen NSW
Karl Nicholson Chef / Owner, Nomadical WA
Jack Lee Chef / Owner, Nook Dining Victoria
Henriette Jensen Head Chef, Pinelli Estate WA
Craig Dowling Executive Sous Chef, RACV Club Victoria
Gyeyoung Kim Head Chef, Rice Queen Victoria
Joanne Steedman Head Chef, Salamanca Fresh Tasmania
David Martin Executive Chef, St Vincents Care Victoria
Kimberley Fitzpatrick Executive Chef, Stock and Barrel Victoria
Steve Jang Executive Sous, Australian Club Victoria
Sara Egan Chef, The Blue Swimmer NSW
Christin Dynia Chef de Cuisine, The Conservatory Victoria
Michael Hutchings Head Chef, The Cotton Club Queensland
Chris Timmins Head Chef, The Farmers Arms Victoria
Tom Hitchcock Head Chef, The Spirit House Queensland
Konstantin Putkin Executive Chef, The Virgin Kitchen Victoria
Luke Stephens Executive Chef, Uniting Aged Care NSW
Dino Ng Sous Chef, W Hotel Brisbane Queensland
Andrew Wisken Chef, Warringal Private Hospital Victoria
The Chef judges
John McFadden Chair of Judges
Beth Candy Montalto
Telina Menzies Australian Venue Co
George Colombaris Hotel Sorrento
Jenna Louise Cunningham Lucy Liu
Mark Normoyle Luna’s
Jerry Mai Pho Nom, Bia Hoi
Scott Pickett Matilda, Chancery Lane, Estelle, Audrey’s, Longrain
Gary Johnson ALH Hotels
Andrew Ballard Simmer Catering.
