From Melbourne to Spain: Alessandro Bonfigli wins 2026 Australiasian Tapas Competition
Melbourne chef Alessandro Bonfigli, Head Chef at Pipis Kiosk, has won the 2026 Australasian Tapas Competition in Auckland and will now represent Australia at the World Tapas Competition in Valladolid, Spain, this November.
For Alessandro, the winning dish, “A Journey Across Water,” is about much more than competition.
The dish is a reflection of his journey as a chef and the different cultures and experiences that have shaped the way he cooks in Australia. At its heart is a personal connection between Alessandro's Roman heritage and his connection to Australia, particularly the ancient eel-farming traditions of the Gunditjmara people at Budj Bim.
Eel is the hero ingredient, bringing together these two parts of Alessandro's story in a dish that reflects his journey from Rome to Australia.
Winning the Australasian competition has now given Alessandro the opportunity to take that story from Melbourne to the international stage.
The next chapter of the journey is now beginning.