Inspiring Young Cooks Across Regional Western Australia
Kids in the Kitchen is a fun, fast-paced cooking competition designed to empower young people across regional and remote WA. More than just a cook-off, this program builds confidence, creativity, and real pathways into food, hospitality, agriculture, and community leadership.
Created to celebrate the richness of regional produce and the talent of young WA kids, the competition invites participants aged 10 to 16 to create delicious dishes in just 30 minutes. Working solo or in pairs, young cooks bring their ideas to life on stage—supported by local producers, chefs, mentors, and community partners.
What Kids in the Kitchen Is All About
🌾 Celebrating Regional Produce
Each event highlights the unique flavours and ingredients of its region—from fresh local vegetables and quality meats to seafood, dairy, grains, fruit, and bush foods.
👩🍳 Skill Building & Learning
Participants learn valuable life skills including food preparation, kitchen safety, teamwork, time management, and confidence in front of an audience.
🌟 Opportunities & Pathways
Kids in the Kitchen connects young people with guest chefs, agricultural groups, training providers, producers, and local businesses—opening doors to future career pathways.
🎉 Community Pride
Regional events bring together families, schools, Elders, producers, and community groups to cheer on the next generation of little legends in the kitchen.
🏆 Prizes & Recognition
There are always great prizes up for grabs, but the biggest reward is the experience—stepping on stage, having a go, and being celebrated for your creativity.
Where We’re Heading
Kids in the Kitchen is travelling across Western Australia!
We’re delivering events in partnership with agricultural shows, festivals, regional organisations, and schools.
Upcoming locations include:
- Kimberley
- Wheatbelt
- Mid West
- Great Southern
- Pilbara
- Gascoyne
- Perth Hills & Metro regional partners
(Full event pages coming soon.)
Who Can Enter?
Kids aged 10–16 from any regional WA community.
No previous cooking experience is required—just enthusiasm and a love of food!
Participants can enter:
- Solo, or
- In pairs
Each team has 30 minutes to prepare a dish of their choice using at least one regional ingredient.
Why It Matters
Kids in the Kitchen is grounded in community connection, local produce, and empowering young people. By celebrating food, culture, and creativity, we help build:
- Stronger community participation
- Healthier food habits
- Youth confidence and leadership
- Awareness of local agriculture
- Pathways into hospitality and regional jobs
Get Involved
Whether you’re a school, parent, community group, chef, grower, sponsor, judge, or volunteer, there’s a place for you in Kids in the Kitchen.
Registrations, event dates, and regional pages will be announced soon.
For enquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact:
Simone Klose – Program Lead
WATCH NOW
OUR STATE ON A PLATE – KIMBERLEY KIDS IN THE KITCHEN 2015
About Kimberley Kids in the Kitchen: The initial KKIK was trialled in 2015 as part of the Taste of The Kimberley/Ord Valley Muster. It was filmed by Guru Productions, being aired across WA and showcased on Our State on a Plate, a Western Australian based food program concept focused on WA’s unique local produce, meeting primary producers and inspiring viewers with amazing recipes.
Video link here