On behalf of The Age Good Food Guide, may we introduce this year’s finalists for the Young Chef of the Year Award, presented by Smeg. Chosen by a panel of leading industry figures, it’s an award that has been handed out to a rising star on the Victorian restaurant scene since 2002.

The winner, to be announced on Monday, November 18, will join the ranks of some of the country’s most influential chefs, including Andrew McConnell (Gimlet, Cutler & Co., Supernormal) and Brett Graham (the Ledbury, London).

This year’s super-talented bunch were drawn from a large field of entrants all under 30, and they blew judges away with their passion, skills and dedication. They also know a lot about eating out in this city.

So, as we congratulated them on the honour of reaching finalist status, we asked them to spill their secret knowledge about the Melbourne they know, love and enjoy the most.

Kimberly Tang

Omnia at Altis, Docklands

What’s the best bargain around town you’ve found recently?

Bloomwood on Exhibition Street is a stand-out in Melbourne’s pastry scene. It offers classic pastries like croissants, but its Asian-inspired viennoiseries, such as the corn cheese danish and the taro flower danish, are my favourites. Specialty drinks like coconut iced matcha are turned into “Bloom-tinis”, garnished with mini-croissants. The rotating daily specials, which might include hot honey pepperoni pizza danish, sell for $8 to $14 a pop.

What’s your number-one hidden gem in Melbourne that you don’t want anyone to know about?

Old Raffles Place has been serving authentic Singaporean food in Collingwood since 2000. This quaint place features mismatched furniture and nostalgic photos on the walls. Tucked away on the quieter end of Johnston Street, diners enter through what feels like the kitchen and are met by black-and-white photos evoking a bygone Singapore.

Opened by Uncle Alan and Aunty Carol Han as a retirement project (and frequented by my family since my childhood), the restaurant continues to serve classic Singaporean dishes, drawing from the couple’s hospitality experience across Singapore, Malaysia, China, and Australia.

Phone ahead to order the Hainanese chicken rice and the lobak, as they are both rare appearances, depending on Aunty’s energy!

What’s your favourite bar on your night off, and what’s your order?

One or Two is bartender Andy Chu’s first independent venture, drawing on his 11 years of experience at top Melbourne venues like The Everleigh and Black Pearl. Tucked away in Chinatown, this 24-seat bar features tranquil, Japanese-inspired dark wood interiors, perfect for pre-dinner drinks. My top picks would be the Blueberry Yoghurt Punch: imagine a blueberry Yakult and elderflower ripple ice-cream with a punch of gin.

Another favourite is Jungle Boy, a hidden cocktail bar on Chapel Street decorated with tropical ferns and relaxed, dim lighting. Their Zombie cocktail is served in a tiki mug and accompanied by a fire show featuring a (literally) flaming lime.

Where do you go for late-night eats after work? What are your picks of the menu?

Supper Inn feels like a time capsule, unchanged since it opened in 1977. Climbing the creaky timber stairs, you’re greeted by simple furniture, handwritten specials on the walls and grey blinds, where the focus is on the food, and maybe recovering from a hangover.

Open until 2.30am every night, it serves reliably delicious Cantonese dishes. My visits here border on ritualistic: my order is the Fujian fried rice, XO pipis with Chinese doughnuts, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, and roast duck.

Emie Vitteaut

Samesyn, Torquay

What’s your number-one hidden gem in Geelong that you don’t want anyone to know about?

Hanaya is a little Japanese fusion cafe. The venue is small and has a cool vibe with rabbit pictures everywhere. The ramen is amazing; the black garlic pork belly is my favourite. Very generous servings, presentation is always colourful and staff are very friendly.

What’s the best bargain around town you’ve found recently?

Gooley’s is a little sandwich place in Torquay. They have a great range of toasted and fresh sandwiches as well as daily specials. Their pastrami sandwich is delicious, the coffee tasty and none of it will break the bank.

What’s your favourite restaurant outside Melbourne, and why?

Le Comptoir in Aireys Inlet. Very French of me but what can I say? It’s like a little time-travelling window back home. They have everything from great wines to heartwarming dishes and pastries. They even have a deli with some amazing produce.

What’s your favourite bar on your night off, and what’s your order?

Bells Beach Brewing, Torquay, on a late Sunday afternoon catching the last rays of sun, listening to some live music, is the best place to catch up with friends (you can even bring your dog).

All their beer is brewed on site and they serve everything from lager to stout. The beers are all named after surf breaks in this area; my favourite is the Hells Bells XPA.

The guys from Gypsy Burger have a food truck outside if you get hungry. The crispy chicken burger is my go-to.

Saavni Krishnan

Manze, North Melbourne

What’s your favourite bar snack in Melbourne right now?

The recently opened Arnold’s wine bar in Kensington has a cassava fritter with spring garlic hot sauce on their menu, which in my opinion is probably the perfect bar snack. It’s crunchy, bite-sized and served with a sauce that’s full of flavour and it is perfectly matched with their green tomato martini!

What’s your favourite restaurant out of Melbourne, and why?

Greasy Zoes in Hurstbridge is an amazing little operation run by Zoe Birch and Lachlan Gardner. They serve a set menu every night that is full of flavour and technique. They also have a very impressive non-alcoholic drinks pairing. My experience there was a very memorable one and one of the best dining experiences (just) outside Melbourne.

Where do you go for late-night eats after work? What are your picks of the menu?

I am a sucker for late-night kebabs, and Kebab Connection in North Melbourne has a killer mixed kebab.

Hanna’s Kebab in Coburg is also on the top of my list as their bread is almost like roti, and they finish their kebabs by charring them, which gives a lovely smoky finish. The chicken kebab there is my go-to.

What’s the best dish you’ve eaten at a restaurant this year in Victoria?

The chawanmushi at Underbar in Ballarat was delicious! It had Abrolhos Island scallops, cucumber, daikon and a sauce of smoked pork fat and dill. The flavour combination of these ingredients in a chawanmushi is something that will stay with me for a very long time.

Viveik Vinoharan

Lilac Wine, Cremorne

What’s the best bargain around town you’ve found recently?

MKS Spices’n Things in Ashburton is my go-to for Sri Lankan spices and groceries, but their lamb pan rolls are my joy. Chunky lamb curry mixed with some potato and secret herbs and spices, wrapped in a crepe and then crumbed and deep-fried. Add hot sauce and you’ve got my comfort food.

What’s your favourite bar on your night off, and what’s your order?

I love everything about Caretaker’s Cottage: top-notch drinks, tunes are always a hit, great service. I usually start off with a Gibson and then make my way down their monthly rotating drink list.

What’s your number-one hidden gem in Melbourne that you don’t want anyone to know about?

I recently went to Roku Omakase, operating out of Kura in Brunswick every Monday night. The 20-course omakase includes a few sushi/nigiri courses, yakitori and desserts. The braised kombu shime saba was a standout, along with the tsukune; raw fish tartare inside a cooked chicken meatball. Seating only six at a time, it’s definitely a first come, first serve basis.

Henry Salt

Ides, Collingwood

What’s the most un-fancy thing that you eat out regularly?

As soon as I heard this question, I immediately thought of fried chicken. Whenever I have a day off, I usually find myself at Leonard’s House of Love with some friends, enjoying a few beers, their chicken tenders, and a game of pool. It’s my top comfort food, and when you add a couple of beers and good company, you’re guaranteed to have a great night (or afternoon).

Who does the best focaccia sandwich and what makes it so great?

Although I love focaccia and often enjoy various versions, I have to give this one to Maker & Monger. They serve my favourite ham and cheese toasties.

It’s the simplicity that makes them stand out, using excellent ingredients and cooking them with care. The toast is always perfectly crisp, the cheese is beautifully melted, and it’s seasoned to perfection. Their consistency is unmatched, so if there’s any discussion about the best sandwich, they’re my top pick!

What’s the best bargain around town you’ve found recently?

I’m originally from Hamilton in the Western District of Victoria, so I know there are countless amazing deals across Melbourne. However, I want to share an incredible bargain I found in the Grampians at Cavendish: The Bunyip Hotel.

This is the epitome of a rural country pub, and if you want an authentic country roast, you need to visit on a Sunday. They offer a five-course Sunday chef’s table menu for only $65, which includes two entrees, two mains, and a dessert. The menu changes weekly, so locals always have something new to look forward to, and the quality of the food is outstanding.

What’s your number-one hidden gem in Melbourne that you don’t want anyone to know about?

Kaoyum is a cozy Thai restaurant on Toorak Road. My brother introduced me to it a few years ago and raved about it for days. When we finally went, we went all-out with our order − whitebait, fish cakes, braised pork hock, lamb ribs, and more. Everything was incredibly fresh and packed with flavour.

I eat there regularly now, but if I go later in the week, I sometimes struggle to get a table because it’s so small! While I love sharing great restaurant finds, it can be a bit frustrating when the queue gets long due to all the new fans.

The winner of the Young Chef of the Year award, presented by Smeg, will be announced on November 18 at The Age Good Food Guide 2025 Awards, presented by Vittoria Coffee and Oceania Cruises. The Age Good Food Guide 2025 will be on sale from November 19.