Bocuse d'Or Australia
The world’s most elite culinary competition
Australia’s next competitor for the elite Bocuse d’Or world cuisine contest will be decided at Foodservice Australia on Sunday 18 May 2025.
Four finalists, selected to meet international criteria, will compete with their commis chefs in a challenging five and half-hour contest of talent, technique, endurance and creativity, hosted by renowned chef Scott Pickett and award-winning journalist Donna Demaio.
The winner will receive the prestigious ‘Golden Knife’ trophy, plus a trip to compete in the Bocuse d’Or Asia Pacific 2026. If placed in the top five in Asia Pacific, the chef and commis will go on to represent Australia in the Grand Final in Lyon 2027.
Come and watch as the four finalists prepare a lavish dish on a plate and an elaborate platter, then present them to a panel of judges headed up by Bocuse d’Or Australia President Tom Milligan. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at the show commencing at 4.00pm.
The 2023 Finalists:
Clockwise from top left:
Kitchen 1
Paul Golding – Head Chef, Bunjil Place, Melbourne
Assisted by Chris Milligan – Chef, Maha, Melbourne
Kitchen 2
Amber Heaton – Demi Chef, The Star Gold Coast
Assisted by Abbey Kuhnell, Apprentice Chef, The Star Gold Coast
Kitchen 3
Trevor Jenkins – Culinary Trainer, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Melbourne
Assisted by Bethany Harman – Apprentice Chef, Vue de Monde, Melbourne
Kitchen 4
Tommy Prosser – Chef Director, Hospitality Works, Sydney
Assisted by Isabel Macdonald – Apprentice Chef, TAFE NSW Ryde.
Judges Bocuse d’Or Australia 2023
VIP Judges
Tom Milligan
Executive Chef, The Australian Club
President, Bocuse d’Or Australia, Bocuse d’Or Chef 1995
Philippe Mouchel
Chef Owner, Restaurant Philippe
Honorary Life President, Bocuse d’Or Australia
Kitchen Jury
Dan Arnold
Chef Owner, Restaurant Dan Arnold
Coach Bocuse d’Or 2023, Bocuse d’Or Chef 2017
Andrew Ballard
Chef Owner, Simmer Culinary
Bocuse d’Or NZ Chef 2019-21
Dale Lyman
Chef Instructor William Angliss Institute
ACF WACS Judge
Laura Skvor
Chef Entrepreneur, Heirloom Provisions
Commis Chef Bocuse d’Or 2019
Bernd Uber
Chef Educator
ACF WACS Judge
Vegetarian Jury
Michael Cole
Chef Owner, MOKE Dining
Bocuse d’Or Chef 2019
Karen Doyle
Program Manager, Le Cordon Bleu Australia
ACF National President
Deepak Mishra
Director of Culinary Operations, Pan Pacific Melbourne
Vice President, Bocuse d’Or Australia
Josh Pelham
Executive Chef, Crown Resorts Flemington
Bocuse d’Or Chef 2020
Meat Jury
Alex McIntosh
Executive Chef, Sou’West Brewery
Bocuse d’Or Chef 2023
Stephen Nairn
Executive Chef, Omnia, Yugen
Sascha Randle
Production Manager, Meatsmith
Andrew Smaniotto
General Manager Food & Beverage, Geelong Cats Football Club
2023 MCs
Clockwise from top left:
Scott Pickett, Bocuse d’Or Australia Jury Member and former Team Coach, owns nine venues plus a catering venture under the Scott Pickett Group banner.
Donna Demaio is a freelance journalist who has covered Melbourne’s entertainment, arts, food, film, travel, fashion and general news for the past 30 years in print, radio and TV.