Source : the age
For the third year, Good Food is shining a light on the people and organisations making the Australian hospitality industry a better place to work by calling nominations for its Cultural Change Champion award.
The Good Food Guide award was introduced in 2024 following investigations by this masthead that revealed the workplace culture of a number of high-profile Australian hospitality businesses were putting women at risk, with allegations of sexual assault, harassment, drug use and misogyny. Further investigations last year revealed more claims, including the underpayment and exploitation of vulnerable workers.
The Cultural Change Champion award – presented by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guides in October 2026 – is about highlighting the exceptional Victorian, NSW and ACT business operators, organisations, not-for-profits, voluntary groups and networks transforming the industry, and trying to make it a more safe and respectful industry.
Former hospitality worker Jamie Bucirde, who was behind the Instagram account Not So Hospitable, was the inaugural Victorian winner. It sparked a nationwide reckoning and brought the systemic, largely sidelined issue to the surface. She consolidated her findings into an academic report with the University of Melbourne to galvanise the movement into meaningful change.
The Herald recognised hospitality charity Women and Revolution (WAR) for its multifaceted approach to overcoming gender barriers, including coaching and mentoring sessions, and courses on public speaking and negotiation skills.
Last year, the Sorry Not Sorry collective took out both The Age and Sydney Morning Herald Cultural Change Champion awards for its cross-border impact. Rachelle “Rocky” Hair and Jenna Hemsworth formed Sorry Not Sorry with Alex Hooker, Brittany Rowe and Reuby Kahl after making the brave decision to go public with their claims against their former employer Swillhouse, which was at the centre of this masthead’s investigations.
Their stories sent shockwaves through Australia’s hospitality community, where sexual harassment is prevalent but rarely discussed publicly, and paved the way for other alleged victims to come forward. It also prompted a SafeWork NSW investigation, and led to government-mandated sexual violence prevention training in pubs and clubs, and they’ve gone on to advocate for policy reform, fairer complaint processes and industry regulation.
Application process
The Cultural Change Champion award is open to businesses, individuals and organisations that have set up initiatives or programs that foster positive, safe and empowering work environments and workplace culture in Australia’s hospitality industry. These initiatives or programs don’t need to be related to gender; they can be any idea that has made a workplace more inclusive.
Anyone may enter candidates for consideration. Businesses or organisations can also nominate themselves, but only Australian businesses or organisations will be considered.
To apply, complete this online application by 5pm on Monday, August 31, 2026. Winners will be announced at October’s Age and SMH Good Food Guide Awards ceremonies. The judging panel includes Good Food Guide editors and experts in the hospitality workplace culture space.
Questions? Email goodfoodguide@nine.com.au
