Founded in 2005 by Luke Mangan and Lucy Allon, the Appetite for Excellence program is all about shining a light on future hospitality leaders whilst also fostering their talents, awarding participants across the categories of Young Waiter, Young Chef and Young Restaurateur. The 13th year of the Appetite for Excellence Awards also celebrates the first time the program has joined forces with The Inspired Series, a development program connecting students, apprentices and young hospitality workers with top industry insiders for invaluable mentorship.
This year’s Appetite for Excellence Awards saw an all-star judging panel including founders Luke and Lucy, Analiese Gregory, Kylie Javier Ashton, Peter Gilmore, Sam Christie and more tasked with selecting national winners from a record-breaking year of applicants. At the end of the awards ceremony at Luke’s Kitchen in Sydney, Tyler Austin from Stokehouse Q took out Young Waiter with Olivia Evans of Paper Daisy Restaurant nabbing One to Watch. Young Chef went to Shobosho’s Max Sharrad, followed by One to Watch Jessi McEwan of Hogget Kitchen. Young Restaurateur top honours went to Cam O’Keefe from CENTRA.