Ultimate foodie competition showcases South Australia from paddock to Michelin menu

South Australia’s status as the nation’s only MICHELIN-Starred destination will be the centre of a new campaign driving investment and visitation to the state through a competition where foodies can win the chance to dine like a MICHELIN Guide inspector. 

As South Australia’s MICHELIN Guide success continues to drive increases in hospitality jobs, restaurant bookings, walk-ins and international enquiries, The Ultimate Reservation will build on the momentum, showcasing SA’s world-class culinary scene and everything that goes into it – food, wine, produce, people and places.

The competition is designed to showcase what makes South Australia a leader in food and wine to attract foodie-motivated travellers from key tourism markets. Increased visitation supports jobs growth and investment, not just in hospitality, but across the visitor economy from accommodation and tour operators to travel car companies, local businesses and everything in between. 

Foodies can audition for the chance to win a week-long discovery of South Australia’s culinary scene, through an itinerary that not only explores the nation’s first MICHELIN Guide but reflects the breadth of SA’s tourism and hospitality industries – such as shucking oysters in the sea at Coffin Bay and swimming with dolphins on Kangaroo Island.

The ultimate foodie – and their lucky guest – will be joined along the way by former MICHELIN Guide inspector Pina Belfiore, who spent 20 years as a senior MICHELIN Guide inspector across North America.

South Australia’s MICHELIN Guide success continues to drive increases in restaurant bookings, walk-ins and international enquiries. The surge in bookings has been reported across locations, cuisine types and budgets not just from the restaurants which received Stars but those recognised with Bib Gourmand awards and in the MICHELIN Selected category. 

Bookings have increased so much at some of the restaurants recognised that owners are looking to hire more staff and extend opening hours. 

The success is also making its way through the supply chain to producers through a boost in orders for fresh, locally sourced seafood, meat, fruit and vegetables. 

Eligible residents of Australia and New Zealand can now audition by submitting a video of up to 60 seconds sharing why they are excited to experience Australia’s first MICHELIN Guide recognised food culture.

First prize is 7–8-day trip for the winner and a friend, anticipated to take place between March and May 2027, while 20 runners-up will receive dining booking valued at $500 each to a MICHELIN Guide South Australia 2027 restaurant.

Applications for The Ultimate Reservation are open until 11:59pm ACDT on Monday 30 November 2026. To enter, and for Terms of Entry, go to: southaustralia.com/ultimatereservation.  

Minister for Tourism, Emily Bourke said: "from the moment the MICHELIN Guide was announced as coming here first, we have made sure the world knows South Australia is a culinary destination not to miss."

"This campaign is about backing industry, keeping the story going, continuing that momentum and shining the light even brighter on SA," Minister Bourke said. 

"This is about much more than driving bookings to our restaurants, it’s about the accommodation nights, tours taken, wineries and bars discovered, and visits to the local bakeries and fish and chip shops. 

"The Ultimate Reservation continues the MICHELIN Guide story in South Australia, promoting Australia’s leading food and wine destination to hungry visitors from across the country as well as New Zealand.

"We’ve seen bookings pour into our MICHELIN Guide restaurants, and we have many more stories to tell about South Australia’s culinary scene, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is up for grabs is a compelling way to spotlight the breadth of businesses which contribute to it."

Former MICHELIN Guide inspector, Pina Belfiore added: "in my 20 years as an inspector, I have never seen a destination embrace the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide as much as South Australia."

"The culinary world is talking about South Australia right now, and I hear the 77 restaurants featured in Australia’s first and only MICHELIN Guide is just the start of the worldclass dining and tourism experiences on offer there," Ms Belfiore. 

"I am so excited to take the most passionate foodie there is Down Under on this once-in-a-lifetime culinary trip, giving them a taste of the best food and wine destination in the country and my former life as a MICHELIN inspector.

"Get your auditions in now! I can’t wait to meet you in South Australia."

South Australian food personality, Poh Ling Yeow said: "I've been banging on about how good South Australian food is for years! We're so lucky to have incredible produce, wonderfully talented chefs and producers, and a food scene that's really come into its own."

"And running JamFace, nestled amongst the farmers and producers, has only deepened my appreciation for just how much passion and hard work goes into what we eat. There are so many brilliant people doing extraordinary things here, often without much fuss or fanfare, so it's really exciting to see South Australia getting this kind of international attention through the MICHELIN Guide," Ms Ling Yeow said.

"And now someone's going to have the chance to experience it all in a pretty extraordinary way! The Ultimate Reservation is a competition where you could win a culinary adventure through South Australia, exploring our restaurants, regions and food culture alongside a former MICHELIN Guide inspector. I mean, how fascinating would that be? Getting to see our food scene through the eyes of someone who's spent years discovering what makes a restaurant truly special!

"I think it's such a wonderful opportunity, and hopefully it'll encourage more people to come and discover what we've been enjoying here for years!"