Former MasterChef Australia contestant Mindy Woods has been awarded the Champions of Change Award by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. The celebrated global awards honoured her commitment to community empowerment, ethical food practices and her significant contributions to preserving and sharing Indigenous culture through food.
The Champions of Change Award recognises those making a significant impact on the future of hospitality, according to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Director of Content William Drew.
“We are proud to honour Mindy, who is such a deserving recipient this year. The work she is doing to preserve and share Indigenous culture through food is truly admirable, and we are excited to support the continued development of her invaluable contributions,” says Drew.
Woods is a Bundjalung restaurateur and chef-owner of Karkalla, a restaurant in Byron Bay, and Karkalla On Country, both of which focus on native Australian ingredients and immersive cultural dining experiences.
“I believe food is a powerful way to connect people to culture, land, and history,” says Woods. “My goal is to continue creating spaces where we can all come together, embrace native and locally grown ingredients that not only honour the environment but also preserve the sustainable practices that have been passed down through generations.”
Woods is a cookbook author, a board member of Black Duck Foods, a Landcare ambassador, and a cultural educator, further amplifying her influence in promoting native Australian ingredients and sustainable practices. Her impact is widely recognised as both culinary and cultural, making her a leading figure in the movement to celebrate and reclaim Aboriginal food traditions in Australia and beyond.
As the first queer Indigenous women to appear on MasterChef Australia, Woods has used her platform to blend cultures and empower the community, demonstrating her dedication to cultivate a more inclusive food industry that supports minority voices.
Launched in 2021, the award recognises unsung gamechangers driving positive progress in their local community and across the sector. In addition, 50 Best will make a financial donation to Woods’ causes, supporting the continuation of her initiatives and long-term impact.
The Champions of Change Award is the fourth accolade to be revealed ahead of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony, which will be held in Turin, Region of Piedmont, Italy, on 19 June.
The other three awards already announced are the American Express One To Watch Award to Farmlore in Bengaluru, India; honoured for its innovative farm-to-table dining experience. The Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award went to Wing in Hong Kong for excellence in restaurant service and dining experiences. Chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij of Bangkok’s Potong restaurant has been named The World’s Best Female Chef 2025.
Greg Sunning
