Chef of the Year

Minimum Entrants
There must be a minimum of three entrants in a category for nominees to progress to the judging phase.

National Awards Eligibility
The winner of this category is eligible to enter the AHA National Awards for Chef of the Year.

About the Award
This award recognises a chef who demonstrates excellence in kitchen management, culinary innovation and leadership, while making a significant contribution to their venue and the hospitality industry.

Eligibility
To be eligible for nomination, the employee must:

• Have been employed by the nominating hotel for a minimum of six months prior to nomination.
• Be nominated by their employer.
• Be available to participate in a Zoom interview as part of the judging process.

What to Submit at Nomination
Please provide:

• A one - two page written submission outlining the nominee's outstanding achievements during the official awards qualifying period of 30 November 2025 – 30 November 2026
• Nominee resume, including current qualifications, training courses completed, awards received and relevant work experience.
• Headshot of the nominee, either against a white backdrop or in their work environment. We love to see a smile!

What the Judges Will Assess
Judges will consider:

• Professional presentation, personality and attitude.
• Culinary knowledge, expertise, creativity and innovation.
• Kitchen management, organisation and leadership skills.
• Commitment to education, training and professional development.
• Ability to lead and develop a kitchen team.
• Menu development and demonstrated approach to food quality and consistency.
• Career achievements, aspirations and contribution to the hospitality industry.
• Employee portfolio, including relevant achievements, awards, photographs and breadth of experience.
• Contribution to the hospitality industry and/or wider community.
• Diversity and breadth of work experience.