Latitude College is proud to welcome Chef Joe Whitehouse, one of the Northern Territory’s most respected chefs, to our teaching team.
Award-winning chef of the Territory
Joe was recently named Hospitality NT Gold Plate Chef of the Year 2025, the Territory’s top industry honour. Known for his creativity and leadership, Joe served as Head Chef at the multi-award-winning Berry Springs Tavern, where his menus helped define the Darwin dining scene.
Creator of the Laksa Schnitzel
Few dishes capture the spirit of the Top End like Joe’s Laksa Schnitzel. It earned the Darwin Laksa Festival People’s Choice Award and became a local legend – bold, original, unmistakably Territory.
From competitor to special guest
Joe’s reputation has carried him from the pass to the podium. In 2025 he returned to the Laksa Festival as a special guest and starred in the On-Stage Cook Off: Outback Tom vs Latitude Chef Joe Whitehouse, hosted by comedian Amy Hetherington. The crowd watched “bush cook meets Gold Plate Chef” in a fiery Darwin seafood laksa showdown that had everyone talking.
A voice for sustainable kitchens
Beyond awards, Joe is using his platform to promote sustainability and waste reduction in hospitality. This week he’s featuring on ABC Radio Darwin, discussing how chefs can reduce waste, use local produce, and build greener kitchens. His focus on practical change makes him an important voice for the next generation of chefs.
Inspiring the next generation
Students at Latitude College are thrilled to learn from him. Joe brings award-winning skill, genuine Territory experience, and a passion for teaching that motivates every class. For our students, learning from the best chef in the Northern Territory is both an honour and an opportunity.
Latitude College couldn’t be prouder to have Chef Joe Whitehouse join the team – a Territory original shaping the future of hospitality, right here in Darwin.