Media release – 29 October 2019

Entries open for Chef of the Year 2020

Australia’s most coveted title for chefs is calling for entries from around the nation for the prestigious and challenging competition, to be held at Foodservice Australia 17-19 May at ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour.

Open to any professional chef working in Australia, Chef of the Year has grown to become a highly sought-after title with $10,000 in cash prizes, plus more exciting prizes from suppliers and sponsors.

Gold Sponsors Unox Australia, Anchor™ Food Professionals and Australian Pork are continuing their support in 2020, with long-time sponsor Wayne Viles from Unox saying he is thrilled with the way the competition has evolved over the past decade.

He says, “Chef of the Year is now THE competition in Australia for experienced, professional chefs. When you look at the breadth of talent that is involved each year it is quite mindblowing.”

Wayne adds that the Grand Finalists will each take home one of the Unox Arianna 4 Tray Convection ovens used by all the contestants throughout the show.

Jeff Dhu from Anchor™ Food Professionals says the company is delighted to be involved in 2020. He says, “we appreciate the art, craft and passion of professional chefs as well as the commercial reality of running a food business. This event will allow us to celebrate talent and show how the right products can help generate innovation and efficiency in the kitchen”.

Australian Pork is also pleased to support the competition next year, which means that fresh pork will star on the menu. All finalists will be advised the cut and other mandatory ingredients they must use in the first heat. Then if they make it to the semi-final or grand-final, they will have to produce two dishes from a mystery box.

Venessa Barnes from Australian Pork says she looks forward to seeing more stunning dishes created by entrants. She says, “this competition is the perfect showcase for our ‘Inspired by Australian Pork’ message. In past two years of our involvement we have seen truly innovative dishes and I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings.”

Other companies that have so far indicated their support include Silver Sponsors Alsco and Robot Coupe.

Chef of the Year is held at the centre of Foodservice Australia, the national trade show for the hospitality industry. Other special events include the National Restaurant Conference, Café School, The Sweet Spot and the Aged Care Catering Summit. Free tickets are available at www.foodserviceaustralia.com.a...

Any qualified chef working in Australia is eligible to enter Chef of the Year and Competition Director Gary Farrell expects over 200 professional chefs to throw their toques into the ring. The top 32 will be chosen to compete live at the finals running over three days as part of Foodservice Australia. This will culminate in the Grand Final on Tuesday 19 May.

For more information or to enter now, go to www.chefcompetition.com.au.

Chef of the Year

Held as part of Foodservice Australia

10am-5pm, 17-19 May

ICC Sydney Darling Harbour

www.foodserviceaustralia.com.a...

Note this is a business event. There is no public entry. All visitors must be over 16 and work in a food or hospitality business.

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Caption: 2019 Chef of the Year Michael Cole took home $6000, a Unox oven and many more prizes from sponsors and suppliers.

Media Contact:

Kirsty Hunt

T 03 9999 5460

E kirsty@specialisedevents.com.au