THE ULTIMATE PRESSURE TEST TO FIND QUEENSLAND’S TOP CULINARY TALENT

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

Queensland’s Professional Chef of the Year is the state’s premier culinary competition, challenging Queensland chefs to showcase exceptional creativity, technical skill and precision under intense time pressure. Cooking live before an audience, competitors must transform mystery box ingredients into outstanding dishes that demonstrate flawless technique, innovation and a deep understanding of flavour.

The competition features a Redemption Round, giving chefs a second chance to earn their place in the Final, where the remaining finalists compete in a themed challenge that tests both technical ability and creativity.

The winner earns the prestigious title of Queensland’s Professional Chef of the Year and is flown to Food & Hospitality Week to compete against the country’s best in the Australian Professional Chef of the Year competition.

2026 FINALISTS VIEW TIMETABLE

2026 JUDGES & HOSTS

Jamie Gannon

Head Judge
Culinary Director

Adrian Richardson

Chef | TV Presenter | Stanbroke Ambassador

Amanda Fuller

Director of F&B | Accor Group

Martin Boetz

Owner | Short Grain Restaurant

Chris Jordan

Chef | Three Little Birds

Mindy Woods

Owner | Karkalla

Glenn Flood

MC

Tawnya Bahr

MC

2026 COMPETITORS

FINALISTS

Alexis Belmas
Head Chef / Envie French Bakery
Alfan Musthafa
Chef Owner / Warisan
Anisha Varghese
Sous Chef / Hotel Allen AVC Pub
Arnold Aginta
Head Chef / Cairns Sheridan Hotel
Dario Manca
Owner, Director, Head Chef / Attimi by Dario Manca
Fin Burgess
Sous Chef / Marlowe
Francesco Marullo
Sous Chef / Greca
Giancarlo de Brito
Sous chef / IL MOLO
Grant Parry
Chef de Cuisine / Star Gold Coast
Jalen Santos
Chef / Vivo Palm Cove / The Courtyard Cairns
Jasper Far
/
Jerome Kiers
Private Chef / Jerome Kiers Private Chef
Julien Loeb
Sous Chef / Montrachet Restaurant
Kieren Hanak
Executive Chef / Yandina Station
Krischelle Caramat
Chef / Waymark Hotels
Kritcawat Buarak
Chef de Partie / Felons Brewing Co.
Leonardo Rachid Militao
Executive Chef / Etsu / Shoto
Michael Hutchings
Head chef / MH Private Chef Cairns
Nanami Ohta
Head Chef / Vitalia's Italian Restaurant
Nick Austrheim
Head Chef / Herves Restaurant
Paul Humbert
Head Chef / Naldham House
Rafael Vieria Dias
Chef de Cuisine / Andaz Gold Coast
Raffaele Pluchino
Senior Sous Chef / Howard Smith Wharves
Stefhani Frampton
Junior Sous Chef / The Belvedere Hotel Woody Point

COMPETITION TIMETABLE

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM — Heat 5
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Heat 6
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM — Redemption Round
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Finals (Asian Fusion Round)
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM — QLD Professional Chef of the Year: Winner Announcement

 

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM — Heat 1
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM — Heat 2
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM — Heat 3
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM — Heat 4

THE DETAILS

WHO CAN ENTER?

Only Queensland based chefs may enter the competition.

KEY DATES & TIMES

Applications Close – 17th September
Finalists Notified – 21st September
Competition Dates – 12-13th October 2026 | BCEC

PRIZES
  • The QLD Professional Chef of the Year Title
  • $3,500 in cash
  • Flights, Accommodation & Transfers to compete in Australian Professional Chef of the Year 2027
HOW TO APPLY

Online Submissions – Enter Here

HOW IT WORKS

Step 1 – Online Submission: Fill out the below entry form.

Step 2 – Finalists Selection: A shortlist of 10 finalists from Queensland will be announced in September.

Step 3 – Competition Time: Finalists compete at the show.

QUEENSLAND CHEF OF THE YEAR

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