Applications are now open for a prize for the most talented front-of-house star in Victoria. The winner will be recognised by The Age Good Food Guide in October.
Victoria’s next crop of front-of-house talent have a career-changing opportunity in front of them: the Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award, awarded by The Age Good Food Guide, is now open for applications.
Introduced last year, the $10,000 cash and mentoring prize is for service professionals aged under 30 looking to take the next leap in the hospitality industry. Many prizes exist for young chefs, but organisers saw a gap for those pursuing careers in service.
Inaugural winner Nicole Sharrad (ex-Alta Trattoria, Brae, Attica) used her prize money to travel to Cornwall in England and work at two farm-to-table restaurants, Crocadon Farm and Flora, for 12 weeks.
“This experience is priceless. Being able to see these two venues as a whole and work across multiple sectors [at each one] is super valuable,” she says.
“Winning also gave me the drive to pursue something like this in the first place: really hone my craft, learn from people abroad doing things differently, and gain more passion, knowledge and perspective.”
‘This experience is priceless.’
Nicole Sharrad, winner of the Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award 2025
Sharrad, now 30, was selected from a field of 27 applicants spanning sommeliers, waiters, supervisors, and individuals in their first venue-manager role. Some ran their own newsletters or websites.
The judging panel included award founders Bronwyn Kabboord (Du Fermier) and Hannah Green (Etta), plus other industry professionals and a Good Food Guide representative.
The award is named after the late Katie McCormack (Congress, Lagotto, Merricote), a leading light of hospitality, service, wine knowledge and venue management throughout her life. Her CV is varied, including everything from The Grand Dining Room in Richmond to Press Club in the city.
“Katie’s unwavering support for her colleagues and staff was a testament to her genuine love for the hospitality industry,” says her partner, David Yuncken.
“She nurtured her teams with warmth, humour and generosity, empowering them to achieve their potential and always striving for excellence. This award honours her legacy of mentorship, strength and commitment to people in the hospitality community.”
How to apply
Applicants must be aged under 30, permanent Australian residents and based in Victoria. The industry judging panel and Good Food Guide editors are looking for applicants who:
- Are fantastic service professionals.
- Have a social conscience.
- Work to better the community.
- Lift up their peers in the industry.
- Are keenly interested in learning and improving.
The award is open to service professionals working in any section (including sommeliers).
The first step is completing an online application before 11.59pm, August 10. Finalists will appear for an interview in front of a panel of industry leaders and a representative from The Age Good Food Guide in late August.
The recipient of the prize will be named at the Good Food Guide Awards in Melbourne in October. Prizes include $10,000 cash from partners Milieu Hospitality to support experience and education in the field, plus professional mentoring.
The equivalent award for chefs, the Young Chef of the Year, has been awarded to influential Australian chefs Andrew McConnell, Lauren Eldridge, Phil Wood, Brett Graham and Mitch Orr in its 22 years of existence.
Questions? Email goodfoodguide@nine.com.au
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Emma Breheny – Emma is Good Food’s Melbourne eating out and restaurant editor and editor of The Age Good Food Guide.
