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.
Following Stories Across Country
Tracking the ancient and contemporary food knowledge of the land
Care for Country, and Country will care for you
Everywhere – from the heartland of the central desert to the sparkling coastal edges, from verdant forest country to shimmering saltbush plains – holds deep knowledge, rich culture, and powerful stories. The WA Secondary School Competition invites students across Western Australia to walk gently on Country, guided by the traditions that connect land, people, and place.
This is an opportunity for young people to connect with local knowledge holders, explore traditional food trails, and share the food memories of their communities – from long ago until now. Through research, design, and storytelling, students will showcase the unique bushfoods of their region and create new food memories that honour ancient knowledge and inspire the future.
Bushfood is one of Australia’s fastest-growing industries, but bushtucker is more than just ingredients. Australian native edibles are the embodiment of living culture, art and identity, of survival and resilience.
This competition is a celebration of Country, creativity, and the stories that nourish us all.
— Elder Dale Tilbrook- Bushfood Specialist
Program Overview
The WA Secondary School Bush Foods Competition is a regional-to-metro education initiative that brings together secondary school students from across Western Australia to celebrate bush foods, cultural knowledge, and agri-food career pathways.
Students from remote, regional, and metropolitan schools engage in hands-on learning experiences using native ingredients, guided by local Elders, bush foods producers, chefs, WA TAFE educators, and Prepare Produce Provide (PPP) youth ambassadors.
The competition is designed to foster cultural connection, practical skills development, and pathways into hospitality, agriculture, and food industries, while strengthening relationships between communities across Western Australia.
Aim of the Competition
The aim of the WA Secondary School Bush Foods Competition is to:
Celebrate and elevate First Nations bush foods and cultural knowledge
Provide meaningful, hands-on culinary and agricultural learning experiences
Create clear education and employment pathways into the agri-food, hospitality, and tourism sectors
Strengthen connections between regional, remote, and metropolitan schools
Empower young people through mentorship, storytelling, and skill development
Support cultural exchange and respect through engagement with Elders and community leaders
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.
The teams could choose one of two categories to compete in:
Main Course
Dessert
From each region two winning teams were selected to advance to the next stage of the competition and open doors into further training, employment and industry-networks.
Program Structure 2026
The competition operated through a regional-to-state model:
We promoted three divisions within the Secondary School Competition:
Metro Division – This involved conducting an information session and teacher training session with our Prepare Produce Provide team.
Pilbara Division:
Karratha
Port Hedland
Kimberley Division:
Broome
The Prepare Produce Provide team travelled to the Pilbara and Kimberley regions conducting workshops with the participating schools.
Metro Division – Competition Process
Schools attended the Information Session, then participated in a full‑day practical workshop, where teachers and students received skills training, resources, and bush foods guidance. After the workshop, teachers nominated their student teams. A selection panel then chose the WA finalists who will represent the state at the National Secondary School Competition in Sydney.
Regional Divisions – Selection Process
For the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, teams were selected directly from the workshops held in each region with the Prepare Produce Provide team. Students participating in these hands‑on sessions had the opportunity to demonstrate skills and creativity on the day, and selected teams progressed to the state finals.
The regional heats were conducted in key areas including the Pilbara and Kimberley, allowing local schools to participate within their communities.
Finalist teams traveled to Perth to compete in the State Showcase, hosted in collaboration with TAFE and industry partners.
The final event provided students with exposure to professional kitchens, industry mentors, and further training opportunities.
State Finals Competition 2026
State Finals were held between 1st - 3rd July 2026 at Bentley Tafe.
Congratulations to the Medal Winners!!!!!
Dessert Category
🥇 Gold – Armadale Senior High School
Chocolate Tart with Biscoff Cream
Students: Catherine Mwamba & Adam Montallana
🥈 Silver – Rockingham Senior High School
Macadamia Cake
Students: Pearl Muggerridge & Hannah Platt
🥉 Bronze – Kelmscott Senior High School
Lemon Myrtle Cheesecake
Students: Seren Facey & Lillie Jelinek
Main Course Category
🥇 Gold – Dianella Secondary College
Finger Lime Chicken Katsu
Students: Angela Moran & Summer Perry
🥈 Silver – Dianella Secondary College
Lemon Myrtle Chicken Duo
Students: Sore Htoo K'Paw & John David Reyes
🥉 Bronze – Dianella Secondary College
Pepper Berry Teriyaki Chicken Poke Bowl
Students: Eloise McKinley & Morroa Alesa
Through this experience, students have developed practical culinary skills, strengthened their confidence and leadership capabilities, built valuable industry connections, and worked alongside inspiring mentors and chefs. Most importantly, they have proudly represented their schools, communities, and regions through food and storytelling. Congratulations to all students, teachers, schools, mentors, and families who contributed to the success of this inaugural event.
What’s Next?
The winning gold medal teams will be going to Sydney on 21st September 2026 to represent WA in the National Competition.
These students will be working with WA youth team, chefs and mentors to prepare for the National competition.
Join our competition winners showcasing their talents at our fundraising event ‘From Country to the World: A Bushfood & Cultural Showcase Mon, 17 Aug, 6pm - 9:30pm at Mandoon Estate Caversham. Get your tickets now.
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.
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!
