IF25 Dish Italy Up

Celebrating tradition and innovation in Italian cuisine.

Over two exciting days, young chefs from Melbourne’s vibrant food scene. will compete in a high-pressure culinary showdown.

They will reinterpret iconic Italian dishes, testing their ability to balance authenticity with creativity, all while working within strict time and equipment limits.

Participants’ selection

Participants will be chosen through an application process.

Nine young Italian chefs will be invited to mentor and compete alongside them.

This unique pairing celebrates cultural exchange and highlights the next generation of culinary voices inspired by Italy’s rich food heritage. 

Eligibility - Young Italian Chef

• Must be an Italian chef (heritage or professional background in Italian cuisine) under 35 years of age
• Must have professional culinary experience in restaurants, catering, or food service.
• Must be available to participate at Italian Festa 2025 on 18–19 October at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton.
• Will act as a mentor and teammate to the paired cook student during the competition.  

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Timetable

Saturday 18 October

‍15:00 – 16:00 Qualification Round 1  

16:30 – 17:30 Qualification Round 2

18:00 – 19:00 Qualification Round 3

‍Sunday 19 October

Eliminatory Rounds 11:00 – 13:00
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Over four high-pressure rounds, each team of chef and student will prepare both a primo (first course), a secondo (main course), and a dessert (Tiramisu) showcasing classic Italian regional pairings.

Competitors will have one hour to complete their dishes. Judging will emphasise speed, technique, creativity, authenticity, and presentation.
Grand Finale

Only three teams will advance to the final round. Here,the chefs and students will prepare: one primo (filled pasta) and a secondo.

For this climactic stage, celebrated chef Guy Grossi will join the judging panel, lending his expertise and prestige to the competition.

Grand Finale Indoor Stage 13:15 – 13:45

Wine Pairing

At both the eliminatory and finale stages, chefs will be required to propose a wine pairing from a curated list of Italian wines, explaining their choice in 1–2 sentences.

Judges will score based on coherence, creativity, and service technique.

Judging Criteria

- Taste
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- Technique
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- Creativity
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- Presentation
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- Alignment with (or reinterpretation of) Italian tradition
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- Wine Pairing

Judging Panel

1 professional chef

1 food journalist/influencer

1 sommelier

1 celebrity

Prizes

All participants will receive a Show Bag as a token for their participation

Each winning teams (for both the Cook off and the Tiramisu challenges) will receive prizes valued at no less than$500 each.

Participation fee
All participants are required to contribute with a donation to IF25 “keep the Italian Festa entry free” of $25 (students) and $50 chefs.