Cheering on our National Youth Team all the way to the 2024 Culinary Olympics
Nestlé Professional continues its support of the junior squad’s road to Germany.
Are you ready to watch Australia’s best culinary talent take on the world?
In February 2024, eight of our country’s top young chefs will head to the city of Stuttgart, Germany to compete at the 26th IKA/Culinary Olympics, showcasing their skills on the global stage!
Held every four years in Germany, this event is the oldest, largest, and most diverse international culinary arts competition in the world.
Currently ranked seventh in the world, Australia’s National Culinary Youth Team will be battling it out against more than 1,800 professional chefs from 67 nations.
Our junior chefs are all aged under 25 – a team of seasoned talent who have participated in our prestigious Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award, and excelled at state, national or international level.
“This event is a unique opportunity for Australia’s best and brightest to compete on an international platform and showcase their culinary expertise. Teams from all over the world will unite for this truly unique global competition,” says Karlie Durrant, Nestlé Professional Communications & Sustainability Manager.
“It’s the ultimate culinary showdown and Nestlé Professional is very proud to be supporting the national youth team in their journey to Stuttgart!”
Young culinary stars years in the making
Under the mentorship of Team Manager, Patrick O’Brien, the National Culinary Youth Team has shown exceptional dedication and hard work training for over three years, sharpening their skills ahead of the games.
“Competing in the Culinary Olympics is an incredible opportunity for our young chefs to take the next steps in their careers. The dedication and hard work of our squad to perfect their plates is commendable, and it’s wonderful to see the team come together as they take on this exciting challenge,” says Patrick O’Brien.
When they arrive in Germany, the young chefs will face a two-part contest. The first will require them 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.
According to Youth Team captain, Amber Heaton, the squad is looking forward to cooking for Australia with pride.
“The IKA/Culinary Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for up-and-coming chefs, like me, to connect with like-minded people from different countries to share our passion for food, and make lifelong friendships.
“We’re honoured to compete for Australia in these games. Our chef jacket boasts the Coat of Arms and the Australian flag, and we wear it with pride. The generous support of sponsors like Nestlé Professional is so important to help our group to travel, compete on an international level, and showcase our skills to the world,” says Amber Heaton.
Nestlé Professional supporting the future of the foodservice industry
Nestlé Professional is proud to be a principal sponsor of the Australian Culinary Federation (ACF), who manage and train the team, supporting the National Culinary Youth Team on their road to the Olympics for more than two decades.
“For nearly 60 years, Nestlé Professional has been committed to furthering the careers of the next generation of chefs through the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award and sponsorship of Australia’s National Youth Team on their journey to the Culinary Olympics,” says Karlie Durrant.
Patrick O’Brien adds: “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.”
Get set to cheer on our culinary heroes as they cook their hearts out in Germany next year!
Meet The Team
Team Captain - Amber Heaton
Chef, The Star Gold Coast
Amber has competed annually in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award since 2019, and represented Australia in various national and international competitions, including the Culinary World Cup, La Chaine De Rotisseurs Jeunes Chef Competition, and Global Young Chef. Amber was also the runner up in the 2023 Bocuse d’Or.
Vice Captain - Jessica Roe
Chef, Crown Perth
Jessica is an accomplished competitor at both a national and international level, represented her state of Western Australia numerous times, and chosen to be vice-captain at the 2022 Culinary World Cup.
Stephanie Lawler
Chef, La Sadina Loca
Stephanie has represented Tasmania in numerous national restaurant competitions and was the pastry chef for the national youth team at the 2022 Culinary World Cup in Luxemburg.
Liam Brnic
Chef, Crown Perth
Liam is an accomplished chef who has competed at both a state and national level in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award. He was most recently a national finalist in the Proud to be a Chef competition.
Courtney Short
Chef, Garum Westin Hotel Perth
Courtney is a seasoned competitor and has competed every year of her apprenticeship in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award, WA Apprentice of the Year, National Apprentice Competition and the Proud to be a Chef competition.
Jordan Murphy
Chef, Dardanup Tavern
Jordan has represented Western Australia on a national level at the WorldSkills and Australian Culinary Federation competitions. She has also previously represented Australia at the World Cup in Luxemburg.
Amity Lobb
Apprentice Chef, Adelaide Oval
Amity has competed in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award twice for South Australia, achieved a gold medal standard at the National Apprentice Competition and was a finalist at the Proud to be a Chef competition.
Christopher Milligan
Junior Chef de Partie, Maha Restaurant
Christopher was recently selected for the team because of his strong performance in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award and the Bocuse D’or competition.
If you would like to support Australia’s National Culinary Youth Team’s road to the IKA/Culinary Olympics in Germany, donate to the ACF Culinary Teams here.
For more information about the IKA/Culinary Olympics, visit olympiade-der-koeche.com/en.