2026 NATIONAL APPRENTICE COMPETITION
The National Final will be held in the Culinary Challenge Arena at Fine Food Australia, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre September 2-3 2026
Regional Finals
Each year, the Australian Culinary Federation (ACF) conducts a cooking competition for all apprentices and culinary students in each Australian state and Territory.
This competition is a fantastic opportunity for chefs in training to enhance their skills and network with industry professionals. It also provides a fun and rewarding learning experience for both staff and students alike.
There are four categories: 1st Year Apprentice, 2nd Year Apprentice, Final Year Apprentice, and Culinary Students. The winner in each category will compete in the National Final.
Competitors:
All applications are to be sent through for you region heat a minimum of 3 weeks prior to competition date
For Competition Convenors: Documentation for the National Final must be submitted to the competition email by 31st July.
Important: The criteria for the National Final will be the same as for the regional finals in all states. VIC TBC
DATES
Tasmania
Date:
Venue: TasTAFE Drysdale Campus, 55 Collins St, Hobart
Date:
Venue: TasTAFE Drysdale Campus, Unit 1/93 Paterson St, Launceston
Convenor: Michael Norton
Contact: 0448 807 302
Northern Territory
Date:
Venue: CDU Palmerston, 80 University Ave, Durack
Convenor: David Brown
Contact: 0484 313 674
New South Wales
Date:
Venue: William Angliss Institute, 11 Bowden St, Alexandria
Convenor: Julio Azzarello
Contact: 0413 588 366
South Queensland
Date:
Venue: TAFE Queensland, 66 Ernest St, Southbank
Convenor: Danny Ward
Contact: 0412 388 116
Victoria State Final
Date:
Venue:
Convenor: Targ Howorth
Contact: 0411 472 147
South Australia
Date: Tuesday, 14th July 2026
Venue: SA TAFE Regency Campus, 137 Days Rd, Regency Park
Convenor: Chris Codell
Contact: 0408 857 293
Australian Capital Territory
Date:
Venue: CIT Woden Campus, Callum St, Phillip
Convenor: Ivonne Nathan
Contact: 0409 260 372
Western Australia
Date:
Venue: North Metro TAFE Joondalup, 35 Kendrew Crs, Joondalup
Convenor: Peter Tischhauser
Contact: 0416 126 829
DOCUMENTATION
Each year, the Australian Culinary Federation (ACF) hosts a celebrated cooking competition across all Australian states designed specifically for apprentices and culinary students. This competition offers a fantastic chance for emerging chefs to hone their skills, expand their professional networks, and enjoy a fun and enriching experience alongside their peers. This year we are evolving the competition to include dessert in all 4 categories & all registrations will be through an online form. Please see criteria for more information.
Participants can enter under four categories
1st Year Apprentice – Main Course & Dessert
2nd Year Apprentice – Main Course & Dessert
Final Year Apprentice – Entree Main Course & Dessert
Culinary Students – Main Course & Dessert
Winners from each category will advance to compete in the National Final
*Please note the following links will download to your computer as word documents
2025 National Apprentice Competition
We are excited to announce and celebrate the talented chefs and culinary students who have excelled in this year's 2025 National Apprentices Competition! This prestigious event showcased the skills and creativity of Australia’s next generation of chefs. A special thanks to all our sponsors, judges, and participants for making this competition such a success.
Congratulations to Brooke Moore who took out the Champion Apprentice 2025 Trophy winning a GOLD with Distinction. she received from Robot Coupe a Food processer Valued at over 2k
1st Year Apprentices
2nd Year Apprentices
Culinary Students
Final Year Apprentices
RISING STARS
OUR HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PAST
2019
IMAGES
We love to capture the moments that matter. Check out our 2019 image gallery where apprentices showcased their skills and made life long freindships
2020
Images Tasmania
Tasmania showcased the produce and the rising stars at the 2020 Apprentice competition.