Mindy Woods

Mindy Woods is a proud Bundjalung woman, chef, and author reshaping Australia’s culinary identity through the power of First Nations food. A finalist on MasterChef Australia 2012 and recipient of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 Champion of Change Award, she is nationally and globally recognised for revitalising Indigenous culture through contemporary gastronomy.

As the founder of Karkalla, Mindy champions native ingredients and works alongside communities and knowledge holders to protect sovereign Indigenous food systems, mentors the next generation of First Nations chefs in hospitality, and inspires audiences worldwide to connect more deeply with Country through food.

Mindy’s book, Karkalla At Home: Native foods & everyday recipes for connecting to Country (2024), is a cookbook that brings Australia’s bounty of native foods into the kitchen.