George Calombaris joins Fonterra's Proud to be a Chef for 25th anniversary
Proud to be a Chef, powered by Fonterra and Anchor Food Professionals, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the exciting announcement of renowned Australian Chef George Calombaris, the program’s first ever winner, as its mentor and ambassador.
Each year, Proud to be a Chef, a premier foodservice mentoring program, provides 32 apprentice chefs with a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience. Participants receive mentorship, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and the chance to win a $7,500 Culinary Scholarship tailored to their unique professional aspirations.
The program is led by Anchor Food Professionals Executive Chef Mark Normoyle and supported by two guest mentors selected for their culinary expertise, industry knowledge, and passion for shaping the future of the culinary world.
George Calombaris, Mark Normoyle and Angelica luliano are the Proud to be a Chef 2025 mentors. Watch the launch video to learn more
This year, George Calombaris, one of the world’s most decorated chefs, joins as the savoury mentor. Known for his acclaimed restaurants and his 12-year tenure as a headliner on MasterChef Australia, George brings a wealth of experience and a personal connection to the Proud to be a Chef program, having won the competition in 1999.
“To think that Proud to be a Chef is turning 25 next year makes me feel old - I won the competition back in 1999!” George reflected.
“Standing here now as a mentor is a massive privilege for me. It’s my responsibility to guide, teach, and inspire the next generation of legendary chefs,” he added.
The 2025 pastry mentor is Angelica luliano, Group Pastry Chef for Melbourne’s MoVida, overseeing Original, Next Door, and Aqui. Angelica is also the Co-Chair of the Victorian Young Chefs Club, affiliated with the Australian Culinary Federation, and a Brand Ambassador for Queen Professional.
“Proud to be a Chef is crucial for the food service industry because it allows young chefs to step out of the kitchen and experience cooking in a new way,” she said. “If you don’t apply, you're missing out.”
Standing here now as a mentor is a massive privilege for me. It’s my responsibility to guide, teach, and inspire the next generation of legendary chefs.
Applications for Proud to be a Chef 2025 are open until 11:59 pm on 31 October 2024. Applicants need to complete an online form, submit a recipe concept that uses an Anchor Food Professionals product, and answer questions about their career aspirations.
For more details, visit www.proudtobeachef.com