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 Partner Eustralis is a leading European food wholesaler in Australia with a broad range of quality and innovative products and essential ingredients for pastry chefs, cooks and catering companies.
Whilst much of what the HCA does is rightly aimed at young and aspiring apprentices and chefs, this Scholarship is an 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.
Entries close Friday 18th September 2026. Email entry to mail@hunterculinary.com.au
BRETT GRAHAM SCHOLARSHIP
In collaboration with 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.
Preliminary Cook-Off 20th October 2026
Final Cook-off 27th October
Good luck to this year’s competing Apprentices.
SCARBOROUGH WINE CO. FRONT OF HOUSE SCHOLARSHIPS
This initiative is designed to identify, support, and elevate the next generation of hospitality professionals - those who don’t just work in the industry, but want to build a career in it. There are 2 scholarships on offer -
Scarborough Wine Co. Front of House Scholarship
HCA Rising Star Award
Entries now closed with winners announced at Brett Graham Scholarship finals dinner.
RECENT AWARDS
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 help them through their Apprenticeships.
Congratulations to this year’s winners -
Crystal Thwaite, Iron Gate Kitchen
Marley Cullen, Jimmy Joans
Cooper Brady, Little Beach Boathouse
Esteban Cervera, Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Sydney
These first year apprentices received quality chefs knives from Blade Runner presented in a handmade recycled denim knife wrap from Stitched Up Knife Rolls. They also received dining vouchers to the value of $1,000 each to experience quality dining in HCA member restaurants.
2026 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 to a deserving couple Vicki and Bruce Woods. We thank them both for their significant contributions to our industry.
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 25th August 2026. There were some fantastic dishes presented and it is good to see such a high caliber of apprentices coming through. Congratulations to this year’s winners -
Stage 1 - Winner was Isabella Waters from Carne & Cucina with the runner up Jonathan Prentice from Cams Wharf Tavern.
Stage 2 - Winner receiving the stage at Bathers Pavillion and $750 towards travel was Aaron Karanikolas from The Cowrie Terrigal and the runner up was Isabella Lojewski from Equium Social.
From left - Aaron Karanikolas, Jonathan Prentice, Isabella Lojewski, Isabella Waters and Head Judge Harry Callinan
EUSTRALIS PASTRY CHEF SCHOLARSHIP
Platinum Partners Eustralis are a leading European food wholesaler in Australia with a broad range of quality and innovative products. The Eustralis Scholarship provides a training opportunity for an experienced Pastry Chef or Baker.
The prize 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.
Congratulations to this year’s winner Taris Eaton from Crumb who was awarded this scholarship at our 2025 Spring Seasonal Lunch.
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.
