Celebrating excellence in kitchen design
As a brand renowned for its craftsmanship, heritage, and avant-garde design, the Gaggenau Kitchen of the Year Design Contest acknowledges kitchens that embody the pursuit of excellence. As the kitchen is the heart of the home, we seek projects that serve as the center of life, highlighting materiality, function, and technology.
Open to professional kitchen designers, architects, interior designers, builders, and developers from Australia or New Zealand, the Gaggenau Kitchen of the Year Design Contest aims to recognize those who are elevating their designs and raising the bar, particularly in kitchen design. These visionaries deserve to be acknowledged for their achievements.
As an industry leader, Gaggenau has been incorporated into luxury kitchens worldwide, with architects, designers and specifiers selecting products that deliver an unparalleled kitchen experience. Through this contest, we are pleased to showcase noteworthy kitchen designs from across Australia and New Zealand.
Contest Details
Entries will open 1 October 2026 and close 30 April 2027. There are two entry categories:
- Luxury Home Kitchen
- Multi-Residential Kitchen
for projects completed after 1 May 2025.
The shortlist will be announced at the end of July 2027 with the winner’s ceremony held in September 2027.
Prizes
The grand prize for the Best of the Best is an exclusive trip for two to Europe. The trip will be inclusive of return airfares, 5- star accommodation and all transfers. The category winners and runners-up will be treated to an exquisite culinary experience.
The Judging Panel
The entries will be judged by a distinguished panel of industry leaders and professionals from across the design community. The submissions will be graded based on several criteria, including the authenticity and originality of the design, response to the client brief, performance and end-user considerations, quality of execution, and integration of Gaggenau products.
Rosie Morley, Principal, Hassell
With over 20 years of experience in Australia and the UK, Rosie is a passionate interior designer and design communicator who has worked on major national and international projects in the hospitality, commercial and residential sectors.
Rosie’s design approach is underpinned by deep research and experience, expressed in heartfelt, human-centred design outcomes.
An active presence in the design community, she is a regular speaker, panellist and jury member at industry events, awards and a contributor to major design publications and mainstream media. Rosie is dedicated to fostering emerging talent and works as a mentor with design students at RMIT University Melbourne.
Kirsten Stanisich
Kirsten founded Richards Stanisich with Jonathan in 2018.
Kirsten enjoys the development of design by innovating and pushing our experience with materials and detailing. She is restless in her pursuit of originality and will imbue a project with a sophisticated palette.
She has a wealth of experience across the residential, hospitality, retail, and corporate sectors. Kirsten regularly participates in industry events and award systems with her public speaking, participation on judging panels and has held prominent positions in the Design Institute of Australia. She is a recipient of the BELLE FANULI Interior Designer of the Year, the IDEA Gold Medal, and the winner of the Dulux Colour Awards 2025 Australian Grand Prix amongst other awards. Kirsten is a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and a Hall of Fame inductee.
Damian Hannah
Damian is the CEO and Design Lead at German Kitchens Limited, based in Wellington, New Zealand with 35 years of experience creating individual bespoke spaces, specialising in German manufacturers. Damian holds a National Diploma in Kitchen Design and the highest membership tier with the NKBA New Zealand as an Elite Designer. Since 1991, Damian has led his Design Team to achieve over 60 National and International Design Awards, and together they have judged over 20 different Design Awards. Damian has recently Judged the 2026 KBDi Australian Design Awards, 2025 New Zealand NKBA Design Excellence Awards and the 2025 Gaggenau Kitchen Design Awards.
Toby Earle
Toby Earle is the Development Director at Piccolo House, with over twenty years of experience he is highly respected in the property development industry. With extensive international architectural and interior design experience and an in-depth knowledge of all facets of the development industry Toby continually endeavours to achieve optimal design outcomes, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to delivering designs of the utmost quality and has been at the forefront in the creation of extraordinary homes that enhance and enrich the lives of those who inhabit them. Toby has overseen the delivery of a portfolio of Australia's most awarded developments including The Garden House, Upper House, Elwood House, Piccolo House, Fitzroy House and Piccolo House Gore Street and having collaborated with Gaggenau for almost two decades Gaggenau has featured as the appliance of choice. Toby's comprehensive understanding of property development and design make him an ideal candidate to judge the Gaggenau Kitchen of the Year Design Contest.
Melanie Sa’u
Melanie Sa’u is the Founder of Auckland design practice, Sa’u Studio. With over 12 years of experience in the industry, she holds a Diploma in Kitchen Design, is an Elite Designer of NKBA, sits on the DNKBA Advisory Group as Vice Chair, and is a Board member of the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association. Melanie’s experience spans all levels of the market, giving her a broad understanding of both design and manufacturing processes. As a multi award-winning designer, she works closely with her clients and trades to create spaces that not only look beautiful, but are technically and functionally sound for everyday living. She believes great design is not just about aesthetics, but about thoughtful planning, technical precision and ensuring every detail is resolved before it reaches site. Her approach combines creativity with practicality, underpinned by a genuine passion for elevating standards within the kitchen and bathroom industry.
