Your 2025 Award Judges
Richenda Pritchard – Lead Judge
Richenda has been a chef for over 20 years working with many well-known Melbourne chefs including Guy Grossi. She was the chef/owner of Delizia Cucina, a one hat restaurant in Seddon for four and a half years, continues her interest in all sides of the restaurant industry, and works as a food stylist for Penguin Books.
David Veal – Senior Judge
David Veal is a multi Award winning chef (formerly Owner Bellbrae Harvest) who has worked with many of the greats in hospitality. He is currently Head Catering Manager for Cotton-On where he is responsible for several large Catering facilities. Before that David used his extensive skills and experience to train the next generations of great chefs at The Gordon Insitute, Geelong.
Marilena Richards – Senior Judge
Marilena Richards is a chef and a professional cookery teacher with over 20 years’ experience within the Hospitality Industry. Working with Guy Grossi for over five years enforced the skills that were embedded throughout her childhood growing up in an Italian family. At her time as Sous Chef, upstairs in the fine dining restaurant. Grossi Florentino was awarded 3 hats by the Age Good Food Guide. Over the past 9 years Marilena has used her experience, knowledge and skills to educate young chefs in attaining their ambitions within the industry. Swinburne TAFE was where it all started, and she is currently teaching at Melbourne’s renowned William Angliss Institute.
Ross Ebbels – Judge
Ross has a wealth of experience in the Hospitality and Tourism industries, and he’s highly respected for it. He graduated from Ecole Les Roche Hotel and Tourism Management School in Switzerland. He’s owned and managed many venues in the Geelong Region, and he’s also worked in Europe and the USA. Ross is a board member of The Geelong Arts Centre and The Geelong Cemeteries Trusts. He was elected as a Councillor for the Borough of Queenscliff in 2016 and re-elected again in 2020. He served as Mayor for four terms.
Aaron Schembri – Judge
18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working throughout Australia and abroad, Aaron has worked in and managed many kitchen teams in different areas of the hospitality industry, from pubs, to cafes, restaurants, hotels, resorts and fine dining establishments. Most recently Aaron opened his first solo venture “Kadota” in Daylesford. Kadota has consistently maintained a 2-hat rating through the Age Good Food Guide, 4 hats 18/20 with the Australian Good Food Guide and took out the Golden plate for 3 consecutive years before winning the Hall of Fame award in 2024.