Oceania’s longest-running culinary mentorship initiative has revealed its 2026 class of finalists, with 32 apprentice chefs from Australia and New Zealand set to participate in an intensive four-day program learning from industry luminaries.
The Anchor Food Professionals Proud to be a Chef program, now in its 26th year, drew a record 215 applications for the upcoming cohort—a testament to its growing reputation as a career-defining opportunity for emerging culinary talent.
This year marks a significant expansion for the program, which has opened its doors to New Zealand apprentices for the first time alongside their Australian counterparts.
“We have a wealth of developing talent throughout Australia and New Zealand and believe that providing opportunities at the grassroots level will help elevate the next generation of chefs to be truly world class,” said Victoria Landells, Foodservice Director for Fonterra Oceania.
Star-studded mentorship
The 2026 finalists will work directly with two prominent figures in Oceania’s culinary scene: Sarah Todd, the chef and television personality who rose to fame on MasterChef Australia, and Gareth Whitton, an acclaimed pastry chef and founder of Melbourne’s Tarts Anon.
Returning as resident mentor and head judge, Anchor Food Professionals Executive Chef Mark Normoyle said the calibre of this year’s applicants made selection particularly challenging.
“This year’s entries were bigger than ever. All were of an extremely high calibre, but we had to narrow it down to an outstanding list of 32 aspiring chefs,” Normoyle said.
Beyond kitchen skills
The program takes a holistic approach to chef development, looking beyond technical abilities to identify candidates with the potential to become industry leaders.
“This program isn’t just about what the participants can do in the kitchen. We are looking for aspiring chefs who soak up knowledge, ask questions, push boundaries, and lift others around them,” Normoyle explained.
Scheduled for February 1-4 in Melbourne, the immersive experience will feature masterclasses and skills workshops designed to accelerate the professional development of participating apprentices.
One finalist who best demonstrates their passion and abilities throughout the program will receive a culinary scholarship customised to support their individual career goals.
The complete list of finalists and additional program details is available at www.proudtobeachef.com.
