SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
The Hunter Culinary Association is proud of the suite of Scholarships and Awards that support young and aspiring Chefs and Apprentices.
Whilst the Brett Graham Scholarship awards one of the Hunter regions most talented young chefs, our other scholarships are equally important as they encourage and enable younger apprentices to continue with their studies.
Our Front of House Scholarship acknowledges the critical part that professional and committed front of house staff play in the culinary industry.
Hunter Culinary Association Scholarships:
Brett Graham Scholarship - A trip to London to work with Brett Graham valued at $10,000 in partnership with TAFE NSW
Apprentice Scholarships - Knives, knife rolls and dining experiences awarded annually to 5 first year apprentices valued at $2,000 each
Scarborough Wine Co. Front of House Scholarship - $5,000
Front of House Rising Star
Eustralis Scholarship - Patisserie Masterclass in Sydney including accommodation
UPCOMING AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
EUSTRALIS PASTRY CHEF SCHOLARSHIP
Our Platinum Partners Eustralis are a leading European food wholesaler in Australia with a broad range of quality and innovative products. As a component of that Partnership, Eustralis are for the 6th year providing a wonderful Scholarship opportunity for an experienced Pastry Chef or Baker, or a Chef whose role and/or aspirations and experience critically embrace a pastry chef role.
The Eustralis Scholarship includes a 2 day hands-on masterclass hosted by a guest master pastry chef at the L’Atelier by Eustralis, and two night’s accommodation in Sydney nearby the Eustralis Kitchen in Frenchs Forest.
Scholarship winner will be announced at our Spring Seasonal Lunch in November.
RECENT AWARDS
BRETT GRAHAM SCHOLARSHIP 2025
A collaboration of HCA and the Hunter TAFE Foundation, the Brett Graham Scholarship valued at $10,000, offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train in London with one of TAFE NSW’s most celebrated alumni – Brett Graham, Chef Patron of the three Michelin-starred restaurant The Ledbury.
After a very tight finals cook off, the winner of this year’s scholarship was Lachlan Duncan of Chillis Cottage. The highly commended Runner ups were Tom Anderson and Anthony Farrell Blyton.
SCARBOROUGH WINE CO. FRONT OF HOUSE SCHOLARSHIP
This award for an Outstanding Young Front of House Professional is designed to nurture young and aspiring talent. Scarborough Wine Co. are again funding the nucleus of the prize being $5,000 to be used for career development including a WSET Level 2 or 3 Award in Wines course and a one week vintage experience.
This years winner is Jack Piper from Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley
HCA FRONT OF HOUSE RISING STAR SCHOLARSHIP
This award is designed to assist a young employee starting their career in hospitality. The prize includes enrolment into a WSET Level 1 or 2 Award in Wines course with Peter Orr of Corkscrew Solutions and $1,000 to be spent dining in HCA Member restaurants.
The winner of the 2025 Rising Star Scholarship is Bethany Hobbs currently working at Bistro Molines at Irongate Restaurant.
HUNTER CULINARY COOKERY COMPETITION
This is competition is a nurturing introduction to the art of competing for Hunter apprentices and was held at Hamilton TAFE on Tuesday 2nd September 2025. The competition was very tight and it is good to see such a high caliber of apprentices coming through. Congratulations to this year’s winners -
Stage 1 - Zara Armand Burton from The Deck Cafe and Runner up Shirkira Lee Kime from Opal Care Community.
Stage 2 - Winner Allen Miller from Scratchleys on the Wharf and Runner up Zac White from Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.
Both the winners and runners up of each stage received knives from Core Hospitality with the winner of Stage 2 Allen Miller receiving a stage at a top Sydney restaurant and $500 towards travel & accommodation.
2025 HCA EMERGING APPRENTICE SCHOLARSHIPS
One of the core aims of the Hunter Culinary Association is to support and encourage young and aspiring industry professionals to enable and encourage them through to the completion of their Apprenticeship.
The HCA Emerging Apprentice Scholarships are aimed at 1st year apprentices, to assist them in setting up their kit and engaging in the Hunter food scene with prizes of knives, knife roll and dining vouchers. This year’s scholarship winners are:
Riley Stewart, Signal Box
Seanna Winters, Yellow Billy Restaurant
Laura Newman, Parks Bistro & Catering
Tynan Everett, Margan Restaurant
Madeleine Lush, Autumn Rooms
2025 OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL
We award this to an individual who has made a significant contribution to Hunter Culinary Association and the industry in general. This year we awarded two deserving individuals Matt Kemp and Colin Fassnidge who have given their time so willingly for many years both as competing chefs and regular hosts at Food Fight. We thank them both for their significant contribution.
