ACF gears up for 2023 Culinary Challenge at Fine Food Australia

Over four days next month, Fine Food Australia will host the 2023 Culinary Challenge, brought to you by the Australian Culinary Federation. From September 11 to 14 inclusive, chefs, apprentices and trainees will again have the chance to pit their skills against the clock and each other as they compete for cash and prizes.

As always, the competitions will be judged by a panel of registered ACF judges. This year’s extensive competition program includes:

National Apprentice Competition

Sponsored by Tabasco, the National Apprentice Competition is the culmination of many apprentice competitions held throughout the year in each state and territory and includes apprentice chefs across each year level plus a culinary students section.

The best apprentices from each year and culinary student section from each state and territory are brought together to compete and decide the overall winners.

The 2023 National Final will be held Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th September in the Culinary Challenge Arena.

Nestlé Golden Chefs Hat Award

The longest-running culinary competition in Australia, Nestlé Golden Chefs Hat gives young chefs the chance to pit themselves against their peers and showcase their skills in live cook-offs.

The twelve regional finalists from Australia and New Zealand are set to compete at Fine Food – one talented chef will be crowned Golden Chef of the Year and win a once in a lifetime international travel and work experience trip to Germany.

Food Truck Live Kitchen Challenge

New to Fine Food this year, the challenge gives six teams of two chefs 90 minutes to prepare, cook and serve 15 portions of a single savoury dish from a mobile food truck in sustainable packaging.

Tabasco Hot List

This event will see finalists competing on stage with the winner receiving a trip to Louisiana, US, the home of Tabasco.

ACF Most Outstanding Chef

Finalists are set to compete for awards in the following categories:

  • Most Outstanding Chef

  • Most Outstanding Apprentice/Trainee Chef

  • Most Outstanding Pastry Chef

  • Most Outstanding Pastry Apprentice/Trainee Chef

  • Best Sweet Centrepiece in show

  • Most Outstanding Establishment

Yum Cha Challenge – Thursday 14th

Six teams of two chefs will get 60 minutes to prepare and cook and 20 minutes to serve 25 pieces of Yum Cha cuisine with appropriate garnishes and sauces, using duck, pork, seafood, beef and vegetables with accompanying sauces.

Tabasco Team Challenge – Wednesday 13th

Up to twelve teams of two consisting of a qualified chef and an apprentice/trainee or student have three hours to prepare, cook and serve a three course menu for two covers using a minimum of one Tabasco product. 

We look forward to seeing as many as possible of you there – come support the ACF and see our star chefs strut their stuff!