The Black Hat is a prestigious honour granted by the Australian Culinary Federation Victoria, recognising excellence in Australian commercial cookery. This award represents the pinnacle of achievement for a chef, celebrating their significant contributions and sustained commitment to the industry—far exceeding the expectations of a typical culinary career.

The award highly values dedication to the industry alongside culinary expertise. Its primary aim is to honour the extent, impact, and duration of a chef’s contributions to commercial cookery.
Only chefs who have made exceptional contributions to the progress and development of Australian cuisine at the highest trade or professional levels are eligible for this respected award.