WA Secondary Schools Bush Foods Competition 2026
The WA Secondary Schools Bush Foods Competition is a statewide celebration of Western Australia’s unique bushfoods, cultural stories, and student creativity. Schools across WA are invited to take part in an inspiring learning journey that connects students with Country, community, and contemporary food education. Through research, design, storytelling, and hands‑on cooking, students create dishes that reflect ancient knowledge while imagining new food futures. More than a culinary challenge, this is a meaningful, culturally grounded learning experience that brings curriculum to life. Delivered through a supported school‑based format, students first compete in class, with top teams progressing to regional and state finals — and the opportunity to advance to national‑level events — all while deepening their understanding of WA’s rich landscapes, flavours, and cultural heritage.
Upcoming competition events
School Registration & Teacher’s Masterclass
Sat, 7 March, 9am - 2pm AWST
This is a statewide celebration of WA’s unique bushfoods, cultural stories, and student creativity. Schools across Western Australia are invited to take part in an inspiring learning journey that connects students with Country, community, and contemporary food education. This School Package provides everything your school will need to participate confidently and successfully in the 2026 competition.
The competition is open to Years 10, 11 and 12 students enrolled in schools and studying one of: Hospitality, Commercial Cookery, Home Economics or Food Technology.
Teams choose one of two categories to compete in:
Main Course
Dessert
Each region will select two overall winning teams. These winners may advance to the next stage of the competition and open doors into further training, employment and industry-networks.
Mitchell Cartwright and Quenlyn Clifton at the 2024 ACF Competition.
All about Chef Dan Lyndon
Working with PPP Head Chef Tanya Healy, Dan will be showcasing unique deserts that combine traditional bush tucker and modern techniques with Aboriginal art and cultural storytelling, creating a style that is uniquely his own — elevated, authentic, and full of heart.
“I’m Badimaya, Yamatji, Whadjuk, Yued, with connection to Ngarluma, and Mirning mob. My roots run deep in the land. I live and work in Boorloo (Perth) on Whadjuk Noongar boodja."
For Daniel, cooking began as a way to connect with Family. He was influenced by his Nana about food and cooking, infused with story by his Elders, and artistically inspired by his Aunty. Their collective teachings shaped his respect for using Indigenous ingredients not only for their taste and nutrition, but for their healing and spiritual qualities, and their deeper cultural significance.
2026 competition format
We’re promoting three divisions within the Secondary School Competition:
Metro Division – Information Session + Teacher Training Session
Kimberley Division – Workshops during the week of 20 April
Pilbara Division – Workshops during the week of 27 April
Here is the 2026 competition process, including regional stream details:
Metro Division – 2026 Competition Process
Schools attend the Information Session, then register and participate in a full‑day practical workshop, where teachers and students receive skills training, resources, and bush foods guidance. After the workshop, teachers nominate their student teams, with submissions due 4 July 2026. A selection panel will then choose the WA finalists who will represent the state at the National Secondary School Competition in Sydney.
Regional Divisions – 2026 Selection Process
For the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, teams will be selected directly from the workshops held in each region. Students participating in these hands‑on sessions will have the opportunity to demonstrate skills and creativity on the day, and selected teams will progress to the next stage of the statewide competition.
DEADLINE
30 June 2026
Schools must run their in-class competition before the state competition on 30 June 2026 to be eligible for the state selection phase.
Hint!! Teachers this would be best to run before or in the month of May giving you a chance to organise dates and travel to Perth if required…
Note: If the number of entries exceeds capacity, the organising committee reserves the right to limit team entries based on the merit of each submitted entry.
The 2024 Australian Culinary Federation School Competition
The Prepare Produce Provide team had the honour of supporting two talented Ballajura Community College students - Mitchell Cartwright and Quenlyn Clifton at the Australian Culinary Federation National School Competition in Adelaide held over the weekend of 21st - 22nd September.
This incredible event featured young chefs from all over the nation, with this year’s challenge centred around creating a standout dish featuring poultry. The ACF competition not only showcases students’ culinary talents but also offered a glimpse into the hospitality industry, paving the way for future training and career opportunities.
Program sponsors
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors for supporting this exciting bush food cooking competition across Western Australia. Your commitment helps celebrate our unique native ingredients and the talented chefs who transform them into extraordinary dishes. By backing this regional competition, you're championing culinary innovation and cultural heritage. We're especially grateful for your support in sending our regional champions to the National competition hosted by the Australian Culinary Federation. Thank you for investing in Australia's culinary future!
