Ten teams through to finals of Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award

The 2018 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award has wrapped up its regional heats in the Northern Territory, with ten teams set to represent the country’s top young talent in the national final in Melbourne this September.

The two-chef teams will battle it out in the national final at Fine Food Australia, with a once in a lifetime culinary trip to Italy up for grabs for the winning pair.

The 2018 national finalist line-up includes a few familiar faces as well as a host of new culinary talent. No stranger to the competition, Billy Fox will be a third-time national finalist for 2018, representing NSW Metro with first-timer teammate Matt Wills. The pair battled it out against 26 two-chef teams to secure their place in the final with gold medals.

“This was my first Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat and what an experience!” Wills said. “I’m feeling awesome and can’t believe we’re in the finals. We are going to give it everything.”

While in Canberra, Nicole Samson (teamed with Felicia Mardo) is glad she gave this year’s competition another shot. 

“I’ve entered the last two years and was keen to enter again this year – good thing I did, I’m living proof third times a charm,” said Samson. “I think teamwork will be key to our success at the finals.”

Nestlé Professional executive chef Mark Clayton said the competition is about pushing yourself to become a better chef and committing to your culinary journey.

“A successful team going into the final will be the one that goes out there and puts one-hundred percent into what they’re doing,” he said.

Sheridan Randall - 7th August 2018