2020 looks very different for everyone on many fronts and the impacts of these challenging times are being felt closely in the hospitality industry. As a result, the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award has had to adapt to reflect these changing times.
One thing that remains true is the promise to support chefs; Nestlé Professional is standing by young chef talent to share in their culinary journey, with a reimagined competition for 2020.
“With a 55-year legacy in the Golden Chef competition, now more than ever, we need to maintain that commitment and demonstrate our leadership to support young chefs, to educate them and improve their employment prospects,” says Scott Stuckmann, business executive officer. “While other culinary competitions are switching off and hitting pause, we’re committed to the future of our industry as a trusted and reliable partner in good times and bad.”
Aside from the 2020 Golden Chef’s Hat going forward, the reimagined award is broadening its horizons this year by launching into New Zealand to support even more chefs and introduce an exciting trans-Tasman element.
“There are a vast amount of people hurting in our industry right now and now more than ever is the time young chefs need our support,” says Mark Clayton, executive chef. “We have a unique opportunity to show them that we genuinely care about the future of our industry. The reimagined format will still offer chefs the chance to keep elevating their skills and be a part of the supportive community that is foodservice.”
The 2020 reimagined competition sees Golden Chef innovate with virtual activations to enable the program to remotely reach and connect with chefs.
Here’s the key points of the new competition:
- Chefs enter as an individual, completing an online application.
- Confirmed entrants are invited to submit a video entry, presenting a plated dish of their choice that best showcases their skills and personality as a chef.
- 12 regional winning chefs from across ANZ are selected, with additional category prizes awarded.
- The top 12 chefs then compete in the grand finals.
- One chef is judged to be awarded Chef of the Year and awarded an AUD$10,000 cash prize to support their culinary career.
The Golden Chef award partners and chef alumni are 100 per cent behind the competition continuing this year. The Australian Culinary Federation and NZChefs share in the collective goal to ensure that the young chef community can still be part of the Golden Chef experience and offer them something truly positive to focus on in these challenging times.
So, please get on board and support the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award in 2020 by sharing the news with your networks, colleagues and employees.
Entries are open from 4 May until 29 June 2020.