Meat and Livestock Australia established the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge in 1996 to showcase young professional chefs from around Asia. The competition at the same time has become an arena for presenting Australian meat and Australian food ingredients to a focused target market of current 4 and 5-star chefs across Asia.

Till now the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge has gained tremendous popularity and prestige among professional chefs and food establishments and has the endorsement of WACS (World Association of Cooks Society).

The MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge has been running since 1996 and has had over 1900 chefs from 15 countries participate in over 50 events. It is a competition participated by upto 15 teams of young chefs, assisted by a team manager. Participants represent some of the finest restaurants, hotels, airlines and cooking schools across the region.

On day one, teams are each given a mystery box of high quality sponsored ingredients and have 1 hour to develop a 4-course menu. The box contains items like a cut of Australia beef, herbs and spices, sauces and other ingredients. They take the box away with them to prepare the mis-en-place for the competition judging and then subsequently for the guests at a gala dinner the next day.

Day two, the trade, foodservice buyers, chefs and media come together in a gala dinner where they are treated to a menu of carefully prepared dishes. Prior to the dinner, A panel of international chefs will judge the menus. All teams receive a certificate of participation (Gold, Silver and Bronze level certificates are awarded based on the standards achieved by the team) and the top three winning teams receive Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and cash awards. Special awards are also given to outstanding menu courses (i.e. Main Course, Appetiser).

The winner from each country final will be flown to compete in the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge Global Final which is held in conjunction with the WACS Congress/WACS Asia Pacific Forum.

The MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge is now in it’s 4th cycle of events with more and more countries enthusiastic to participate. The 4th Global Final of the MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge is planned to the 2nd quarter of 2008, in conjunction with the WACS World Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

For more information visit www.mla.com.au