Australia is gearing up for a celebration of the nation's young talent in the restaurant industry. The accomplished chefs, restaurauteurs and waiters will be recognized through Appetite for Excellence, a program sponsored by Electrolux and S. Pellegrino.

Founded in 2005, Appetite for Excellence is an educational program that highlights up and coming stars in the nation's hospitality industry. Every year, a judging panel composed of 24 of Australia's most renown chefs selects winners in three categories: Australian Young Chef, Australian Young Waiter and Australian Young Restaurateur.

Judges include chef and television personality Guy Grossi, Peter Gilmore from Sydney's Quay Restaurant, Chris Taylor from Fraser's Restaurant in Kings Park, Mark Best from Marque Restaurant in surry Hills, chef and cookbook author Christine Manfield, Philip Johnson from E'cco Bistro in Brisbane and Luke Mangan from glass brasserie in Sydney.

A special dinner will be held for chefs and industry leaders on the 19th of August.  The  awards ceremony will be celebrated on the 20th of August. The winner in the Young Chef category will be able to compete in the S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup held in Venice and visit the Italian Alps and Tuscany, home to S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, respectively.

Among other prizes, the winner of the Young Waiter award will get a round trip ticket to participate in Singapore's World Gourmet Summit 2013, courtesy of S. Pellegrino. The Young Restaurateur of the year will win a trip to London to attend the 2013 edition of the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurant awards.