An Ingle Farm chef who only finished TAFE a month ago is set to represent South Australia on the national culinary stage after being crowned the state’s winner in one of the country’s longest-running young chef competitions.
Charlie One, a 24-year-old chef at Rosemont Hall, has secured a coveted place in the 2026 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award Grand Final after earning the highest score at the South Australian cook-off.
Held at TAFE SA’s Regency Campus on June 24, the competition saw 19 rising chefs from across the state step into the kitchen, with competitors judged on technical skill, creativity, presentation and flavour.
“I entered the competition to push myself and be around like-minded people,” Charlie said.
For me, great food is simple and balanced, that’s what I’ve tried to show in my menu.
“There’s a lot of technique and thought behind getting it right.”
Each young chef had to prepare and plate up two covers of a main course and dessert within 2.5 hours, using their own original recipes.
Charlies award-winning dishes comprised of a lamb rump with spiced cauliflower and a lemon meringue tart with NESTLÉ ingredients.
Nestlé Professional Executive Chef and Golden Chef judge, Elke Travers said that the award provides great career pathways for young talent in our a state.
“We are once again truly inspired by the passion and skill shown by the local chefs who entered” Elke said.
“Chef Charlie impressed the judges with his ability to work under pressure and his strong technical skill.
“His lamb dish was beautifully cooked and very tender, delivering great flavour with a well-balanced use of spice on the cauliflower.
“His dessert was also exceptional, showcasing refined pastry skills and excellent execution within the timeframe,” Elke said.
Charlie will now head to Melbourne for the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award Grand Final at Fine Food Australia, where he’ll compete against 10 other top young chefs from Australia and New Zealand in front of a live audience.
The cook-off will take place across two heats on Monday August 31 and Tuesday September 1, with the winner announced at the Industry Awards Dinner on Wednesday September 2.
“Representing South Australia on a national stage is something I’m incredibly proud of,” Charlie said.
“It’s my first time in the competition and, having only finished TAFE a month ago, making the Grand Final feels like a huge achievement.
“It’s also been a great step in starting to build my name in the industry,” he said.
If you’d like to know more about the nationals and where to watch Charlie, click here.
