WHERE AUSTRALIA’S TOP BURGER CHEFS BATTLE IT OUT

Applications Closed— for any enquiries, please email customercare@nationalmedia.com.au

Competitors Notification: 17th April, 2026

Competition Dates: 25th-26th May, 2026, ICC Sydney

The competition is open to any chef across the restaurant, QSR, pub, hotel and street food sectors.

Finalists are required to compete in both of the following categories:

SIGNATURE BURGER
A uniquely crafted burger that reflects your personal culinary style and creativity. It should represent your strongest work – a memorable burger that defines your brand and keeps customers coming back.

CREATIVE BURGER (SPONSOR ROUND)
Competitors are required to make a burger that will be judged on their inventiveness & creativity with using provided sponsor ingredients.

See Full Guidelines for more detail

1. All burgers must be prepared and cooked on-site.
2. Each contestant will be expected to arrive 30min before their allocated heat. Competitors will not have access to the competition area before their heat time commences
3. Competitors will have 30minutes to compete (10mins prep, 15mins cook, 5mins clean)
4. Competitors are required to make four identical burgers for each category, ‘Signature Burger’ and ‘Creative Burger’, in their allocated 30minute heat time. Total of eight burgers.
5. Contestants are responsible for cleaning their workspaces after completion and will be judged on the cleanliness of their station.
6. All ingredients must be transported in labelled containers and comply with Australian Food Safety standards. Correct food handling must be adhered to.
7. Ingredients must be brought in insulated coolers to maintain temperature control prior to your heat. Improperly chilled products will lead to disqualification. On-site refrigeration will be available.

The competition will be point-based, participants will accumulate points across all criteria for both the ‘Signature Burger’ & ‘Creative Burger’ rounds, with their total score determining who is the overall winner.

• Burgers will be graded by an esteemed panel of judges using a universal score sheet.
• The judges’ decisions are final.
• For all non-judging matters, the Competition Coordinator’s decision is final.
• Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be substituted.
• Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be substituted.

Judging Criteria

• Taste – Balance of flavour & ingredients
• Execution – Technically sound, assembled well, cooking precision, food safety, commercial viability
• Appearance – Visually appealing and appetising

1. Best Signature Burger: Winner ($1,500)
2. Best Creative Burger: Winner ($1,500)
3. Australia’s Best Burger: Winner ($2,500)

Competitors will be allocated one of two stations. Each station will have access to a range of equipment – see full list here in the application guidelines.

Any items not mentioned, must be provided by the competitor.

Applications for this competition are now closed. To watch it live, please visit our registration page to secure your pass to attend.

Check out the full guidelines here.