Mindy Woods, Chef, Restaurateur, Author, Educator & Advocate for Indigenous Australian Cuisine.
Mindy Woods is a proud Bundjalung woman, celebrated for her culinary expertise and unwavering commitment to promoting Indigenous Australian ingredients. Mindy's passion for food was ignited in childhood, inspired by her Nan and long walks along the beach collecting pipis, foraging native plants and spices, and cooking them with her mob on Country.
Mindy rose to national prominence as a finalist in Season 4 of MasterChef Australia in 2012, and returned for Season 14, using the platform to spotlight native bush foods. Following her success on the show, Mindy took on leadership roles as Head of Culinary Development and later CEO of the Lotus Dining Group.
In 2020, Mindy founded KARKALLA Byron Bay—named after a native succulent—as a space to connect diners with Aboriginal culture through food. With the desire to bring an immersive cultural experience to her offering Mindy re-launched Karkalla On Country, offering immersive outdoor dining experiences that honour Country and celebrate native ingredients in their natural environment.
Mindy is also the author of Karkalla At Home, a cookbook encouraging Australians to use native ingredients in everyday meals. Her favourite ingredients include finger limes, lemon myrtle, wattleseed, warrigal greens, and of course, karkalla.
In 2021, Mindy proudly represented Australia at the World Expo in Dubai, returning to the global stage recently at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, 2025 to continue championing Indigenous Australian cuisine.
Beyond her culinary ventures and as a passionate educator on the significance of native foods and their role in Australia’s cultural identity, Mindy is also a board member of Black Duck Food, a NSW Landcare Ambassador, a cultural advisor for The Returning a cultural educator for primary and secondary schools throughout NSW, as well as being Cultural Advisor in the media industry.
About the Global Award
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has celebrated global culinary excellence since 2002, offering a snapshot of the world’s finest dining destinations through a rigorously audited voting process involving over 1,000 industry experts. What began as a UK-based magazine feature quickly evolved into an internationally respected awards program, highlighting gastronomic innovation and trends across 27 global regions.
Mindy Woods Proudly Bundjalung |
