Rose Chursuwannachai represented Canberra at the finals of the 2026 Nestlé Golden Chef Awards. Photo: Supplied.
Young chef Rose Chursuwannachai had a big night representing the ACT on the national stage at the Grand Final of the Nestlé Golden Chefs Hat Awards.
Rose won two gold medals for her entree and dessert, and a silver medal for her main dish. She also won the Most Creative Use of a Nestlé Product award for her use of white chocolate in her dessert.
Rose works as a Chef de Partie at New Acton’s Modern Australian darling Rebel Rebel, and drew on her Thai heritage to create three unique dishes for the competition.
Although she is still young and early in her career, Rose comes from a hospitality family, so she’s been around the industry her whole life. Her family has run a restaurant in Chonburi Province, Thailand, for 50 years, shaping Rose’s career.
“Growing up with my family in the food service industry taught me the importance of respecting ingredients and the work that goes into producing them. That’s why I think about reducing food waste whenever I create a dish. I enjoy finding ways to maximise ingredients and turn simple products into something unexpected,” she said.
This innovative meringue dish won Rose the award for Most Creative Use of a Nestlé Product. Photo: Supplied.
Rose’s dessert, in particular, caught the judges’ eye for its mix of sweet and salty.
Inspired by family camping trips in Thailand, her complex dessert features citrus meringue cigarettes, coconut rice pudding, white chocolate chantilly cream, rhubarb and orange compote, crisp rhubarb shards and salted potato crumb.
“My passion for pastry started when my mum gave me a tiny oven when I was 12 years old, and I spent hours teaching myself how to make meringue … To receive this award for a dish that means so much to me is incredibly special,” she said.
“I spent months developing this dessert, so seeing all that work pay off is incredibly rewarding. It’s also reminded me to keep creating and trying new things, even when I’m not sure they’ll work.”
Founded in 1965, the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award is Australia’s longest-running culinary competition for young chefs. The awards are an annual competition where apprentices and young chefs can showcase their skills, build industry contacts and put themselves out there. Regional heats are held around Australia and New Zealand before the 10 regional winners go head-to-head at a live cook-off.
Rose was awarded Most Creative Use of a Nestlé Product for her dessert. Photo: Supplied.
Ashleigh Handsaker, a 23-year-old sous chef from Iron Gate Kitchen in Pokolbin, won the top prize this year.
Rose hopes to keep growing her career in Canberra and beyond, with plans to work in top International restaurants where she can learn from the best of the best. Wherever her career takes her, she’ll be one to watch!
Find out more about the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award.
