VIC Young Chefs: Competition Masterclass – Andrew Ballard
May 27 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Event description
ACF Victoria – Competition Ready: Masterclass with Andrew Ballard
A 3-hour session of experienced advice, planning tools and behind-the-scenes insights
Join us for an exclusive Young Chef masterclass, proudly sponsored by Nestlé Professional, and led by Australian Culinary Team Captain, Andrew Ballard. This masterclass is designed to give aspiring competitors and professional emerging chefs the inside edge on competition preparation.
Whether you’re planning your first entry or refining your approach, Andrew will guide you through what matters most—criteria, strategy, planning, and mindset.
Details
📍 Venue: William Angliss Demonstration Room
🕕 Time: 3-hour evening session
🍽 Light supper and drinks provided
🎟 Limited spots available
This session is proudly sponsored by Nestlé Professional – helping support the next generation of Australian food talent.
About Andrew Ballard
Chef. Small business owner. Culinary competitor.
Andrew is currently based in Osaka, Japan, where he serves as Executive Chef for the Australian Pavilion at the World Expo. Known for his calm presence under pressure and sharp focus, Andrew has built a reputation across Australia and internationally for his expertise in food competitions. Between managing international service and collecting Japanese porcelain, Andrew remains passionate about mentoring emerging chefs.
Back in Australia, Andrew is the driving force behind Simmer Culinary, a dynamic hospitality company based on the Mornington Peninsula. With a firm commitment to ethical sourcing and a “paddock-to-plate” philosophy, Simmer Culinary delivers personalized dining experiences that highlight the best of local produce. Adding another layer to his culinary pursuits, Andrew spearheads the Gastronomique Development Kitchen, a high-performance training ground where chefs and apprentices sharpen their skills for elite-level cookery competitions. Here, precision, discipline, and the occasional existential crisis over plating techniques come together in pursuit of culinary excellence. Andrew’s most prized role? Captain of the Australian National Culinary Team. Under his leadership, the team secured silver and bronze at the 2024 Culinary Olympics and clinched 5th place at the World Global Chef Challenge—an impressive feat, though he’ll always have his sights set on the top of the podium. With unwavering focus, the team is now gearing up for their next big challenge: the 2028 Culinary Olympics, where Andrew will once again lead as Captain. 🏆 Australia’s Most Outstanding Chef (2018 & 2019) 🏆 Australian Professional Chef of the Year (2021) 🇳🇿 Bocuse d’Or New Zealand Candidate (2018 & 2020)—though let’s be clear, as much as he respects the ANZAC bond, Andrew is Aussie through and through! Beyond competing, Andrew and his team at Simmer Culinary run the full-scale kitchen operations for some of Australia’s largest food events. From Taste of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Darwin to the Good Food & Wine Show across all major cities, and even the fiery spectacle that is The Fire Kitchen at Vivid Sydney, Andrew and his crew keep the burners hot and the crowds well-fed—often spending up to 28 weeks a year on the road. Whether he’s leading a kitchen, competing on the world stage, or perfecting the art of balancing a sauce reduction while making travel plans, Andrew Ballard is a chef whose passion for food knows no bounds.
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