Young Australian chefs to compete at Culinary Olympics

Some of Australia’s leading young chefs will compete at the 2024 IKA/Culinary Olympics in February. Held in Germany every four years, the games are among the oldest and most diverse international culinary arts competitions in the world.

Eight of the nation’s young chefs will head to Stuttgart to face off against over 1800 talented professionals from 67 countries, backed by the support of Nestlé Professional, a principal sponsor of the Australian Culinary Federation (ACF) that manages and trains the team.

Karlie Durrant, Nestlé Professional Communications & Sustainability Manager, said the company is committed to furthering the careers of the next generation of chefs. It does so through the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award, and the sponsorship of Australia’s National Youth Team on their journey to the Culinary Olympics.

“These games are a unique opportunity for Australia’s best and brightest to compete on an international platform and showcase their culinary expertise,” Durrant said.

To compete in the games, chefs must be under the age of 25. Australia’s National Culinary Youth Team comprises chefs who have participated in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award and excelled at state, national and international level.

The Australian team, currently ranked seventh in the world, will participate in a two-part contest. The first will require chefs to prepare and present a three-course menu for over 70 guests. The second will be a junior chef’s table, requiring the team to prepare a five-course menu for guests sitting at the end of their kitchen booth.

The Australian National Culinary Youth group is mentored by team manager Patrick O’Brien, who has trained the squad throughout the past three years.

“Nestlé Professional has been a huge support to the team. Competitions such as the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award have been invaluable in selecting the high calibre of chefs needed to excel on the global stage. This talented team is undoubtedly set to reshape the future of Australia’s foodservice industry,” O’Brien said.