Jamie Oliver has announced the inspirational winners of his inaugural Australian Food Hero Awards at a prestigious ceremony onboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas at Circular Quay, Sydney, yesterday.

Dannii Minogue, The Wiggles, Boo Seeka, Jessica Rowe, Tobie Puttock, Julia Busuttil Nishimura, Jessica Nguyen, Narelda Jacobs, Sarah Harris and Mr Luke joined Oliver to present the five winners with their awards.

The winners were chosen by an expert panel and celebrity judges from over 1,200 entries from across Australia.

The Food Hero Awards celebrate unsung food heroes who are positively changing the Australian food system. Entries across every category were incredibly high from Food Educator of the Year, Food Kindness Award, Food for Movement, Community or School Food Champion to Food Entrepreneur of the Year.

Winners came from across Australia including Mulan Aboriginal Community in WA, Melbourne and Mooroopna in Victoria, Kalkaringi in the NT, and South Albury in NSW to celebrate their incredible work in making sure Australian kids are well nourished and supported, often working in incredibly challenging situations with high levels of food insecurity.

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of its 20-years of operation in more than 1,000 schools and early learning centres around Australia. The award comes just as the Foundation launches their national fundraising campaign, the Food Education Drive (FED).

“Australia has always had a special place in my heart and I was very excited to launch the Food Hero Awards here,” Oliver said. “We have kicked it off in the most incredible way, and I want to congratulate all the winners – you’re all utterly brilliant. All those involved have gone above and beyond in our first year. There’s such an appetite to shine a light on best practice, as well as passionate, caring people who devote themselves to inspiring the next generation.”

The Awards also recognised Stephanie Alexander for her amazing work in establishing The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, now celebrating its 20th year.

Jamie Oliver hugs Leanne Johnson, winner of the Food Kindness Award during the inaugural Jamie Oliver Food Hero Awards 2024, in partnership with Royal Caribbean International and Wonde, on board Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas at Circular Quay. Photo: James D. Morgan/Getty Images for Jamie Oliver Ltd)

RCI major partner and host venue

Royal Caribbean International is the major partner and Ovation of the Seas the host venue for the awards. RCI has also donated a cruise holiday for each winner x 2 across each category.

“We are delighted to be the headline partner for Jamie Oliver’s Food Hero Awards, hosting the event onboard Ovation of the Seas in Sydney,” Royal Caribbean AUNZ Senior Marketing Director, Kathryn Lock, said.

“It has been humbling to be a part of something that recognises the incredible work happening in our communities by Australian food educators, community groups and business leaders who go above and beyond to support Aussie kids, all the while celebrating the ongoing partnership of our two brands and the shared focus on quality food experiences that bring families together. This event kicks off even more families joining us onboard this summer to enjoy fresh Italian dishes, alongside treasured family moments at Jamie’s Italian on our Quantum class ships.”

Jamie Oliver in front of Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas at Circular Quay. Photo: Rocket Weijers/Getty Images for Jamie Oliver Ltd)

Wonde is the technology partner and is awarding all winners a $10,000 prize to support their continued growth.

“Wonde is incredibly proud to support the Jamie Oliver Food Hero Awards and celebrate the inspiring winners in each category,” Wonde CEO and Co-Founder Peter Dabrowa, said. “These awards honour individuals, teams, and organisations who go above and beyond to create lasting change in students’ lives and strengthen their communities.

“By contributing a $10,000 prize to each winner, we aim to fuel the growth of their initiatives—helping students deepen their knowledge and love of food, expand community outreach, and foster connections to culture and healthy lifestyles. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact these remarkable winners will continue to make for years to come.”

Every winner will also received cookware and equipment from Tefal.

FOOD EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Karen Dack from EON Aboriginal Foundation in the Northern Territory

PRESENTED BY JUDGES: Jamie Oliver, Julia Busuttil Nishimura and Tobie Puttock Karen is a Project Manager at Kalkaringi School and is deeply passionate about educating the community on how to grow, harvest, and cook fresh produce.

FOOD KINDNESS AWARD

WINNER: Leanne Johnson, Kids Cooking and Caring Program at The Carevan Foundation in Albury Wodonga

PRESENTED BY JUDGES: Sarah Harris and Dannii Minogue

Leanne Johnson runs the The Kids Cooking and Caring program, which is integral to The Carevan Foundation, and aims to provide healthy, nutritious food to people in need within the community.

FOOD FOR MOVEMENT

WINNER: Principal Hayden Beaton and Wellbeing co-ordinator Lisa Hueston for Mooroopna Primary School in Victoria

PRESENTED BY JUDGES: Jessica Rowe and The Wiggles (Anthony Field and John Pearce)

Listed in the top 3 per cent of disadvantaged schools in Australia, with over 76% of students having suffered or been exposed to significant trauma, Mooroopna Primary School in Victoria supports its students to become autonomous life-long learners who contribute positively to their community.

COMMUNITY OR SCHOOL FOOD CHAMPION

WINNER: Principal Michael Patrick and teachers Miss Jessica Lulu and Miss Gina Harcourt for John Pujajangka-Piyirin Catholic School of the Mulan Aboriginal Community, Western Australia

PRESENTED BY JUDGE: Mr Luke

The John Pujajangka-Piyirin Catholic School offers an outstanding cooking program where students are given the opportunity to prepare meals each week, utilising ingredients and produce from their kitchen garden, with the support and encouragement of staff. A portion of these meals are also delivered to community Elders each week, factoring cultural considerations at each state of meal preparation to ensure they meet the needs of the community.

FOOD ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

WINNER: James McLennan, Co-founder and CEO of Farm My School and Founder of Grassroots Sustainability in Victoria

PRESENTED BY JUDGES: Boo Seeka

McLennan has focused his career on food systems education. His business Grassroots Sustainability focuses on the whole food cycle and bringing it back to the food we eat and the importance of eating local, seasonal, spray free, nutrient dense food.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

WINNER: Stephanie Alexander for The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation