The Judges

Jamie Oliver

Chef, cookbook writer and food campaigner who has encouraged millions of people to enjoy cooking fresh, delicious food from scratch over his 25-year career.

ANTHONY FIELD & JOHN PEARCE OF THE WIGGLES

Anthony is the founder of the hugely successful children’s entertainment group, and is best known as his alter-ego, Blue Wiggle. John joined The Wiggles in 2021 as Purple Wiggle, and his character is known as ‘Strong John’.

Narelda Jacobs

10 News First presenter and journalist with more than two decades of experience across broadcast media, on local and international stages. A Whadjuk Noongar woman, Narelda is a strong advocate for her people and culture.

Sarah Harris

TV host and presenter, Sarah is co-host of Network 10’s The Project. Sydney-born and Queensland-raised, the TV Week Logie-nominated presenter is also the national ambassador for brilliant children’s charity The Smith Family.

Andy Allen

More than a decade on from his win on MasterChef Australia: Season Four, Andy is the success story that exemplifies what the nation’s favourite cooking show is all about. He is now a chef, author, presenter and co-owner of Three Blue Ducks restaurant group.

Dannii Minogue

Dannii Minogue is a fashion and entertainment icon, well known for her hard work, professionalism and global success, particularly in the fields of television, fashion and music. Dannii is currently host of the groundbreaking first ever UK gay dating format I Kissed A…. for BBC Television.

Jessica Rowe, AM

Jessica is a journalist, TV presenter, three-time best-selling author, podcaster and Australia’s most popular ‘Crap Housewife’. She passionately advocates for mental health awareness as an ambassador for Beyond Blue.

Boo Seeka

Acclaimed singer-songwriter, Ben ‘Boo’ Gumbleton is also famous for his food page Food Seeka, where he shows off his skills in the kitchen and highlights some of the best food he’s found while touring the world.

Mr Luke

Luke Springer (AKA @iam.mrluke) is a primary school teacher, author, and passionate content creator. He’s garnered 1.8 million followers on TikTok and over 900,000 on Instagram, where his joy for his job and dedication to the importance of education shine through his content.

Healthy Harold

Harold is an icon and the mascot for Australia’s largest provider of preventative health education in schools, Life Ed. With his trusty educator Michelle Weisbaum, Healthy Harold has been educating children on issues like nutrition, vaping, consent and online safety for the past 45 years.

Julia Busuttil Nishimura

Writer and author of three best-selling cookbooks, Julia loves to celebrate simple ingredients, seasonal produce and the joys of coming together at the table. Her new book, Good Cooking Every Day, is out in September 2024.

Jess Nguyen

Jessica Nguyen is a home cook and food creative living in Melbourne/Naarm, whose mission is to inspire people to cook, drink and throw parties at home for themselves and for the people around them, one Instagram post at a time.

Tobie Puttock

The seasoned Australian chef honed his skills in Italy and the UK, working alongside chefs like Jamie Oliver, before co-founding Australia’s Fifteen Restaurant and Charitable Foundation in 2006. He’s now written five best-selling cookbooks that celebrate healthy, balanced lifestyles.

Our expert panel

We’re so proud to have some amazing experts from across Australia helping us to shortlist these awards.

DR PREEYA ALEXANDER

Dr Preeya is a practising GP based out of Melbourne. She’s passionate about all things ‘prevention’ in medicine, and is on a quest to make complex health information digestible for everyone.

DR JOANNA MCMILLAN

A PhD-qualified nutrition scientist, dietitian and lifestyle medicine expert, Jo is an accomplished author, engaging speaker, visionary food futurist, nutrition consultant, passionate cook, and charismatic TV presenter.

JANE MARTIN (BA MPH Hon Doc Deakin)

Jane is the Executive Manager of the Food for Health Alliance and has almost forty years of public health advocacy experience. Read more… She’s an experienced media commentator, researcher, not-for-profit board member and advises all levels of Australian government on policies to support nutritious diets and health. Show less

DAVE McNAMARA

The former chef’s passion for food has taken him from working in some of Melbourne’s most well-known restaurants to leading Foodbank Victoria as CEO, the largest food relief charity in Victoria. Read more… In the last three years, he’s established innovative food programs to reach the most vulnerable communities. Show less

DR SANDRO DEMAIO, MBBS MPH PhD

CEO of VicHealth, a medical doctor and a globally-renowned public health expert and advocate, Dr Demaio has also been CEO of the EAT Foundation and Medical Officer for non-communicable conditions and nutrition at the World Health Organization (WHO).

MICHELLE WEISBAUM

Michelle works with celebrity judge Healthy Harold to educate children on the issues facing them today, such as nutrition, vaping, consent and online safety. Read more… For the past six years, she’s been bringing Life Ed’s modules to life, helping young people become critical thinkers around their own health and wellbeing. Show less

RACHEL DEBECK

Rachel is the CEO of Flexischools and an experienced business leader, with a passion for building purpose-driven businesses. Read more… In her role as CEO for Flexischools, Australia’s #1 online ordering and payments solutions for schools, Rachel works closely with schools and canteens throughout Australia to drive positive change. Show less

VICTORIA FUCCI

A respected figure in Sydney’s food scene, Victoria has been in the culinary and hospitality world for 30 years, working in a number of exclusive restaurants, events, cafés and bars. Read more… Now in the school sphere, her commitment to creating nutritious, delicious meals for students and teachers reflects her deep understanding of food’s role in nurturing both body and mind. Show less

LAURA PAULSEN

Laura Paulsen is a public health nutritionist and Healthy Communities Manager at Cancer Council Victoria. Laura provides leadership to Vic Kids Eat Well and the Achievement Program, initiatives that prioritise nutritious food and wellbeing for kids.

JOEL FEREN

Joel is an experienced media dietitian, recipe developer, and nutrition consultant. He helps to shape the food landscape and spark meaningful conversations about nutrition, particularly for male audiences and families with young children. Read more… Joel is an avid foodie and loves to showcase nutritious food in delicious and appealing ways. Show less

DR ROSEMARY STANTON OAM

An independent public health nutritionist who has become a household name through her efforts to encourage people to enjoy healthier foods. As well as authoring scientific papers and 30 books, she also has a particular interest in sustainable food supplies.

EMMA STIRLING

Emma Stirling is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and an academic specialising in food science, gastronomy and culinary nutrition. Read more… Emma is recognised as an innovative, entrepreneurial and leading dietitian and at Australian Catholic University is the national Culinary Nutrition Practice Lead. Show less

MIKALA ATKINSON

A nutritionist with Cancer Council WA and leading primary school nutrition program Crunch&Sip®, Mikala is a passionate advocate for building healthy habits in the home and encouraging kids to reach for veg every day.

KON KARAPANAGIOTIDIS OAM

Kon is a passionate humanitarian, cook, public speaker and bestselling author. He’s also a qualified lawyer, social worker, teacher and the founding CEO of Australia’s largest human rights organisation, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

MICHELLE SOUTHERN

Michelle is the Food Director at taste.com.au, Australia’s leading food site. With more than 25 years in the industry, she’s full of practical tips and easy recipes to ensure anyone can become a star in their kitchen. Read more… Her experience and passion make her a go-to resource for home cooks and food lovers. Show less

JOE WILLIAMS

Joe Williams is a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu man and founder of The Enemy Within, a wellbeing organisation that helps to alleviate the mental and traumatic distress of individuals in communities across the country. Read more… Joe is also the founder of Our Way Academy Ltd; working with First Nations young people aged 5-13 to create ‘A Better Now’ through identity, behaviours and values.Joe is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the school of Psychology at the university of Queensland, and PhD student at Melbourne Universities Indigenous Knowledges Institute. Show less

NORNIE BERO

Nornie is an island girl from the Komet Tribe of the Meriam people in the Torres Strait. She’s been a professional chef for over 25 years, and is passionate about making native ingredients the hero of the Australian kitchen. Read more… She’s the founder and CEO of the restaurant Mabu Mabu, which is now also a catering business, cookbook and range of retail products. Show less

News

Young boy smiling and giving the camera a thumbs up with an apple in one hand

NEWSHow Aussie kids eat well

We’re working with some incredible organisations in Australia for the Jamie Oliver Food Hero Awards – one of which is Vic Kids …