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
Region Dates 2026
New South Wales
Tuesday 21st April
All entries due by Tuesday 14th April
William Angliss Institute, 11 Bowden St, Alexandria, 2015.
Convenor Julio Azzarello 0413 588 366
Tasmania
Tuesday 21st April
All entries due by Fri 10th April
Venue: TasTAFE Drysdale Campus, 55 Collins St, Hobart
Convenor Michael Norton 0448 807 302
South Queensland
Saturday 20th June
All Entries due Friday 5th June
TAFE Queensland Southbank, 66 Ernst Street, South Brisbane, 4101.
Convenor Danny Ward 0412 388 116
South Australia
Tuesday 14th July
All entries due by Wednesday 1st July
TAFE SA Regency Campus, 137 Days Rd, Regency Park, 5010.
Convenor Chris Codell 0408 857 293
ACT
Monday 15th June
All Entries due Friday 6th June
Canberra Institute of Technology Woden, Callum Street, Phillip, 2606.
Convenor Ivonne Nathan 0409 260 372
Victoria
Tuesday 2nd July
Holmesglen Moorabbin 488 South Rd, Moorabbin
Convenor: Targ Howorth
Contact: 0411 472 147
Victorian Criteria Click Here
Victorian Competitors are to enter via their RTO with application form on criteria
Northern Territory
Tuesday 9th April
CDU Palmerston, 80 University Ave, Durack
Convenor David Brown 0438 431 750
Western Australia
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.
Region Dates 2026
New South Wales
Monday 20th April
William Angliss Institute, 11 Bowden St, Alexandria, 2015.
Convenor Julio Azzarello 0413 588 366
Tasmania
Convenor Michael Norton 0448 807 302
South Queensland
Saturday 30th May
TAFE Queensland Southbank, 66 Ernst Street, South Brisbane, 4101.
Convenor Danny Ward 0412 388 116
South Australia
Tuesday 23th June
TAFE SA Regency Campus, 137 Days Rd, Regency Park, 5010.
Convenor Chris Codell 0408 857 293
ACT
Monday 15th June
Canberra Institute of Technology Woden, Callum Street, Phillip, 2606.
Convenor Ivonne Nathan 0409 260 372
Victoria
Friday 26th June
Box Hill TAFE Elgar Rd Box Hill
Convenor Andrew Wisken 0407 848 931
Northern Territory
Friday 19th June
Palmeston College 10 Tilston Ave, Driver
Convenor David Brown 0438 431 750
Western Australia
Competition Venue TBC
Convenor Cath MacDougall
0409 970 070
Region Dates 2026
New South Wales
Monday 20th April
William Angliss Institute, 11 Bowden St, Alexandria, 2015.
Convenor Julio Azzarello 0413 588 366
Tasmania
Convenor Michael Norton 0448 807 302
South Queensland
Saturday 30th May
TAFE Queensland Southbank, 66 Ernst Street, South Brisbane, 4101.
Convenor Danny Ward 0412 388 116
South Australia
Tuesday 23th June
TAFE SA Regency Campus, 137 Days Rd, Regency Park, 5010.
Convenor Chris Codell 0408 857 293
ACT
Monday 15th June
Canberra Institute of Technology Woden, Callum Street, Phillip, 2606.
Convenor Ivonne Nathan 0409 260 372
Victoria
Friday 26th June
Box Hill TAFE Elgar Rd Box Hill
Convenor Andrew Wisken 0407 848 931
Northern Territory
Friday 19th June
Palmeston College 10 Tilston Ave, Driver
Convenor David Brown 0438 431 750
Western Australia
Competition Venue TBC
Convenor Cath MacDougall
0409 970 070