Gabby Sanders, 2022 Grand Final winner and chef at Christchurch’s Monday Room says the award changed her career.
The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award marks a major milestone in 2025 as it celebrates 60 years of cultivating culinary excellence, with AUT hosting the North Island regional cook-off on Saturday 14 June.
Now in its fifth year in New Zealand, this trans-Tasman competition is firmly established as a springboard for emerging culinary professionals aged 16 to 24, offering them the opportunity to compete on a prestigious platform alongside their Australian peers.
To be held at Auckland University of Technology’s renowned hospitality school, the event underscores the important role that leading educational institutions play in developing the next generation of chefs for New Zealand’s thriving food and beverage sector.
Karl Seidel, Commercial Advisory Chef for Nestlé Professional, says the anniversary marks both a celebration and a reaffirmation of purpose:
“Supporting young chefs from all corners of the country not only strengthens our industry, but also ensures a richer, more diverse future for the New Zealand hospitality industry.
“For 60 years, Golden Chefs has been about more than just competition—it’s a career catalyst. Hosting this milestone event at AUT is a perfect fit. The calibre of talent coming out of this region is exceptional, and we’re proud to support and showcase it.”
Competitors will be judged to international culinary standards, tasked with preparing and presenting two plates of both a main course and a dessert within two and a half hours. Their recipes—developed in advance—must reflect technical prowess, creativity, and flavour execution.
New Signature Dish Award
New for 2025 is the Best Signature Dish Award, recognising the chef whose dish best expresses personal style, culture, and culinary philosophy—an opportunity for young chefs to bring more of themselves to the plate.
The top-scoring competitor from the North Island will secure a place at the Grand Final in Sydney during Fine Food Australia, competing for the 2025 Golden Chef of the Year title and a share in a $38,000 AUD prize pool.
Over 225 competitors across Australia and New Zealand are expected to take part in this year’s regional heats, reinforcing the Award’s position as the largest and longest-running competition of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
8,000 Young Chefs
Since its inception in 1965, the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award has launched the careers of more than 8,000 young chefs, many of whom have gone on to lead kitchens in top-tier restaurants or represent their country on the global culinary stage.
Gabby Sanders, 2022 Grand Final winner and chef at Christchurch’s Monday Room, says the experience changed the trajectory of her career:
“It was a turning point. The exposure, the mentorship, and the opportunity to be part of something bigger gave me the confidence to take risks and think bigger.”
Connected Culinary Communities
As the industry navigates skills shortages and evolving diner expectations, competitions like Golden Chefs offer more than accolades—they build capability, confidence, and a connected culinary community across Australasia.
With the support of Nestlé Professional, NZChefs, and AUT, this year’s North Island cook-off is set to shine a light on the region’s most promising young professionals—and celebrate six decades of nurturing the future of hospitality.
Key Notes: –
- Application is via an online form.
- Regional heats take place from 14 June – 29 July, in the following areas: Auckland, Grafton, Darwin, Adelaide, Christchurch, Perth, Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane, and Canberra.
- The NSW Regional cook-off will consist of two heats in Newcastle and Grafton. The NSW Regional participant who scores the highest points from the two NSW Regional heats will be invited to participate in the Grand Final.
- There are $38,000 AUD in prizes to be won across the regional and grand finals in 2025.
- The Golden Chef of the Year wins an all-expenses-paid trip Singapore and Thailand, including $1,000 spending money and work experience at a renowned restaurant, total valued at $12,000AUD.
For more information on the North Island cook-off visit goldenchefs.com.au