Entries for the 2026 Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award are set to open in March.

The competition, which has been running since 1965, is Australia’s longest running culinary competition, and will see 12 regional finals be held across the country before 11 grand finalists head to Fine Food Australia in Melbourne to battle it out for more than $38,000 in prizes.

Pullman Cairns International Head Pastry Chef Ashleigh Otto was a finalist in 2017 and said performing on stage at the nationals was an unforgettable achievement.

“The experience gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and push myself further. Competing at a national level eventually led to me being scouted to join the Australian team and represent Australia on the international stage,” she said.

“The journey [of competing] really inspired me to keep steppin gout of my comfort zone and pushing myself further. It taught me the importance of refining not just my food, but myself – learning to work clean, manage my time, prioritise under pressure, and sharpen my technical skills.

“It hasn’t only benefitted me – it’s also given me the ability to support the next generation coming through. I’ve found real value in passing on what I’ve learned, helping young chefs build their own foundations the way others once did for me.”

Registrations and further information about the competition are available on the Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat website.