Australia’s Best Young Chefs to watch in 2025 and beyond

Thought freelancing was just for digital nomads? Think again. Tasmanian-born Lilly Trewartha is one of Australia’s most sought-after freelance chefs, best known for her Japanese-inspired pop-up, Izakaya Temporary, which grew into a six-month sell-out sensation in Hobart. These days, Trewartha hosts special events and private dining experiences at some of the country’s top restaurants, including Aløft, Scholé and Ogee.

• Favourite Hobart café: Hamlet Café. Not only do they make delicious food using beautiful local produce, but they’re a social enterprise that creates training and job opportunities for people who’ve faced employment barriers.
• Favourite Hobart cheap eat: Lucky Sri Lanka at the Farm Gate Market on a Sunday morning. Their egg hoppers, dahl, sambal and chicken curry are a weekly ritual for me.
• Favourite Hobart special occasion spot: Trophy Room. Rose, James and the team serve up ever-changing small plates, woodfired meats and great pasta. Hot tip: always save room for dessert; the soft serve and hot cruller are unreal.

This month, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy hosts its highly anticipated Competition Grand Finale – the culmination of two years of intense culinary challenges across 55 countries and 15 regions, bringing together the world’s most promising young chefs. One of those 15 incredible young chefs is Australia’s KyongHo ‘Daniel’ Choi, who is representing the Pacific region under the mentorship of celebrated Australian chef, Josh Niland. In Milan, he’ll be plating up his dish, ‘Bacon and Cabbage, or Pork and Kimchi’ (a play on his heritage – born in South Korea, raised in Ireland). Choi is sous chef at South Yarra’s Euro-influenced fine-diner Omnia Bistro.

• Favourite Melbourne café: Communal Market on Glen Huntly Road in Caulfield for freshly baked cookies – and the Wagyu Reuben sandwich with homemade Russian dressing.
• Favourite Melbourne cheap eat: Soi 38. I couldn't really add anything else to everything every other chef in the city has said about this place. The laksa is comfort in a bowl.
• Favourite Melbourne special occasion spot: I have two – the first is Reine and La Rue; Andy used to be the head chef in a restaurant back home in Dublin called Locks, where every foodie went for Sunday lunch. When I heard he was going to be at Reine and La Rue, I had to go. He still hasn't disappointed me. My other favourite is Phillipe, where they do classical French dishes superbly.

Growing up on a blueberry farm on the ACT-NSW border, Heather Kovacs has been surrounded by fresh produce since day dot. Now 23 and head chef at Beltana Farm (a charming farmhouse-style restaurant surrounded by 800 truffle trees on a picturesque Pialligo estate), she’s bringing her paddock-to-plate roots to life. Both Kovacs and Beltana are two of the best new additions to Canberra’s dining scene lately.

• Favourite Canberra café: Recess Coffee in Griffith or Redbrick Café in Fyshwick, to see more of the ‘behind the scenes’ work.
• Favourite Canberra cheap eat: Canteen in Fyshwick. It serves great comfort food and is perfect for any occasion. 
• Favourite Canberra special occasion spot: Lunetta up on Red Hill and Rebel Rebel in Acton.

An unplanned gap year and dishwashing gig at a local pub in rural Western Australia set Jessica Roe on a path she never saw coming – from running that very kitchen to an apprenticeship at Crown Perth, then representing Australia at the Junior Culinary Olympics (2024). At 25, Roe was appointed to run three venues within Perth’s iconic State Buildings, including stepping up as head chef at one of our favourites, Petition.

• Favourite Perth café: Ol' Buoy in Cottesloe. I can’t skip a beach walk and coffee before work in summer, but in winter, Petition coffee is some of the best you’ll find in the city.
• Favourite Perth cheap eat: Le Vietnam. No matter which báhn mì you get, they are always just what you need. 
• Favourite Perth special occasion spot: Emily Taylor is always a good option – great food and value.

After making history as the first person to win both Queensland Chef of the Year (2022) and Australian Professional Chef of the Year (2023), Tom Hitchcock is redefining regional dining. Now, as head chef at the Sunshine Coast’s acclaimed Spirit House, he plates up vibrant Southeast Asian-inspired dishes layered with house-made misos, garums and vinegars – all born from his passion for fermentation, preservation and sustainability.

• Favourite Sunshine Coast café: The Velo Project in Mooloolaba. The coffee is exceptional, and my go-to order is the eggs Benedict.
• Favourite Sunshine Coast cheap eat: Samila Gaeng in Maroochydore is my personal favourite for an affordable night out. Must-try dishes are the khao soi chicken and the miang kham (betel leaf wrap). 
• Favourite Sunshine Coast special occasion spot: Exhibition Restaurant in Brisbane. I like settling in for a three-hour feast of chef Tim Scott’s culinary creations.

Chloe Sharp is having a big year – she’s just started as sous chef at hyped new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant The Palomar Sydney, the first international outpost of a beloved London restaurant. It’s in the new 25hours Hotel The Olympia, and it’s under the culinary direction of Mitch Orr (ex-Kiln). She was also named a finalist in the Good Food Guide 2026 Young Chef of the Year Awards. Hats off to her. 

• Favourite Sydney café: Ona Coffee Marrickville is a short stroll from my house. Getting a latte from there is pure happiness!
• Favourite Sydney cheap eat: Bánh xèo from Vietfull Marrickville. My best friend is Vietnamese, and when we hang out, we are always eating Vietnamese.
• Favourite Sydney special occasion spot: Mister Grotto – spectacular seafood done by Måns Engberg and team.