- The National Kitchen Garden Awards recognise the tremendous creativity of kitchen gardens in schools and early childhood services across Australia.
- A panel of passionate experts (Stephanie Alexander AO, Kylie Kwong AM, Connie Cao and Darren Robertson) will judge the entries.
- Submissions are open until midnight Friday 7 August 2026.
The National Kitchen Garden Awards are back! With nine exciting categories and nine prize packs, each close to $5000, there’s plenty to get excited about.
But what really makes these awards special? The people. Especially the passionate educators, the curious kids, and, of course, our incredible panel of judges, who have the tough job of choosing the winners.
So, before the submissions close on 7 August, let’s get to know the four experts who’ll be digging into your stories of sustainability, creativity, and community connection.
Stephanie Alexander AO
Food education champion, cook, restaurateur, and the author of 18 influential cookbooks, Stephanie Alexander AO has changed the way Australians think about food. In 2004, she established the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. Her iconic 1996 culinary bible, The Cook’s Companion, remains a cornerstone of Australian kitchens and was celebrated with the release of a 30th Anniversary Edition in 2026.
“Our vision at the Kitchen Garden Foundation is for every child in Australia to have the opportunity to learn about where food comes from and how to cook nourishing, delicious meals for themselves and those around them. The National Kitchen Garden Awards are our chance to celebrate the incredible cooking and gardening activities that educators, students and young children are experiencing right around the country.”
Kylie Kwong AM
Kylie Kwong AM is a renowned chef, author, and advocate celebrated for her pioneering Australian-Chinese cuisine. As a chef, collaborator and creative, she uses food as a catalyst for positive social impact and cultural exchange. A third-generation Australian, she draws on her heritage, combining native Australian ingredients with Chinese cooking techniques and flavours to create an authentic and meaningful expression of traditional Australian-Chinese cuisine.
In 2025, Kylie was invited by the American Academy in Rome as Guest Chef for their Rome Sustainable Food Project, recognising her ongoing commitment to sustainability and community-centred food practices. Known for her cookbooks, television shows, and acclaimed former restaurants, Billy Kwong and Lucky Kwong, she was appointed an Associate of Powerhouse Parramatta in 2024, where she collaborates with Western Sydney’s multicultural communities through food and cultural programming in the lead-up to the museum’s 2026 opening. She was the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation NSW Patron from 2010 to 2020.
Connie Cao
Connie Cao is a passionate urban permaculture gardener, and author of Your Asian Veggie Patch. She is passionate about growing food in backyards and cities, and believes that even the smallest space can become a thriving patch. In her backyard, she cares for a garden full of veggies, fruits, flowers and chickens, drawing on her permaculture and horticultural background to create a thriving ecosystem that is productive, beautiful and sustainable.
She writes for ABC Organic Gardener magazine, is the resident garden columnist at The Design Files, and is a regular guest on ABC Radio Melbourne and 3CR Gardening Show.
“I’m really excited to see what young people are doing and be inspired by them. There’s so much creativity out there! I like that the competition inspires kids to get in the garden and think about gardening and the environment.”
Darren Robertson
Darren Robertson is a UK-born, Byron-based chef and restaurateur. Co-Owner and chef of the acclaimed Three Blue Ducks restaurant group. He started his career at Michelin-starred Gravetye Manor, before moving to Australia in 2001 to refine his craft at Tetsuya’s in Sydney for eight years, where he rose to Head Chef. During his time as Head Chef, Tetsuya’s was voted 5th Best Restaurant in the World in 2007.
A passionate creative leader with a strong hospitality network, Darren has been Festival Director and Food Curator for Australia’s longest running food festival, Tasting Australia. A seasoned media professional, Darren has co-authored three cookbooks, and hosted and appeared on countless television shows. This includes as host of Charcoal Kitchen (Lifestyle Food), co-host of Recipe to Riches (Network Ten), and appearances on MasterChef, Iron Chef USA, and The Great Australian Cookbook.
Darren has regularly contributed to some of Australia’s best known food magazines. He now writes the weekly Substack column How to Be a Better Cook. He also shares his How to Cook Pretty Epic food tips and recipes on his Darren Robertson Food, Instagram and Youtube channel.
Whether your students are inventing their own delicious recipes or designing sustainable irrigation systems, our judges can’t wait to hear their stories. Entries are open now until midnight on Friday 7 August 2026. Get your hands dirty and your ideas flowing!
If you have any questions about the awards or the Kitchen Garden Program, please contact our Kitchen Garden team at membership@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au or 1300 072 543, and join our next info session.
For media queries, please contact audrey.bourget@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au.