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by Matt Moran, Hayden Quinn, Sergio Perera, Ben Devlin, Christine Manfield, Sarah Pound, George Calombaris, Reuben Davis, Luke Nguyen, Culinary Wonderland Team, Andrea Vignali, Shannon Bennett and Ben Bayly
About the Chefs
Matt Moran
Matt Moran is an Australian food icon with over 30 stellar years in the food industry. Matt has a plethora of awards to his name, a handful of best-selling cookbooks, and is the force behind some of Australia’s most celebrated dining establishments. At the heart of every one of Matt’s endeavours lies a passion for fresh, seasonal produce. This philosophy is showcased in his award-winning menus that emphasise seasonal ingredients, balanced flavours, and premium-quality produce.
Hayden Quinn is an Australian cook, entrepreneur, television presenter, and author. Hayden’s food philosophy is fun, fast, super tasty food that is most importantly local and accessible to all. His passion for cooking and adventurous spirit have made him a popular figure in the Australian culinary scene. Beyond food, he is also co-owner of The Cube Gym in Sydney, Studio Maybe and Hard Fizz. He's also a proud advocate for Starlight Children's Foundation and LifeChanger Foundation.
Sergio Perera was born in Zaragoza, Spain, his love for cooking began in his grandfather’s kitchen where he learnt the traditional cuisine of the Aragon region. Sergio trained at esteemed restaurants like ARZAK and elBulli, he embraces traditional and modern cooking techniques, integrating food science and sustainability. Inspired by the Japanese Kaiseki tradition, Sergio's elegant style focuses on whole ingredients relying on the natural beauty of food, and cooking with intuition and instinct. Sergio has cooked for entertainers, athletes, and royalty globally, notably as private chef and nutritionist for Chris Hemsworth. He contributed to the CENTR app, offering holistic recipes and wellness programs. Sergio is a brand ambassador for Winning Appliances and recently opened the acclaimed ORA Japanese dining and bar in Sydney's Waterloo.
Ben Devlin is an Australian chef and restaurateur with over 18 years' of experience in the culinary world. Throughout his career, Ben worked in award-winning kitchens as Executive Chef at Paper Daisy/Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach as well as Head Chef at Esquire in Brisbane. Despite his fine-dining credentials, Ben's restaurant Pipit located in the Northern Rivers aims to offer a refreshing step away from fine dining, focusing on fresh, seasonal produce and more traditional methods of cooking.
Christine Manfield is a pioneer and icon of the Australian culinary world; a curious cook and a perfectionist inspired by the culinary melting pot of global flavours. Christine is a passionate traveller, activist, teacher and award-winning author. As Nigella Lawson describes, "Christine’s influence on the way we eat now cannot be overestimated". Over her lengthy career, she's owned and run three highly acclaimed restaurants; Sydney's Paramount, Universal, and London's East@West.
Sarah Pound is an Australian nutritionist and recipe creator with passion for food and a belief in the transformative power of wholesome eating. With a degree in health science and a background in high-end event catering, Sarah specialises in simple, nutritious recipes for busy families. Sarah has a loyal following on her Instagram account "Wholesome by Sarah", where she posts daily recipes to inspire others to embrace a healthier lifestyle while savouring delicious flavours.
George Calombaris is one of the world’s most decorated chefs; recognised around the world for his culinary genius & his absolute passion for food. Australian-born, George is known for his fine-dining Greek cooking. George has competed in Bocuse D'or, won Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Chef of the Year, and has owned some of Australia’s finest restaurants. George has written several successful cookbooks and headlined Masterchef Australia for 12 years.
Reuben Davis is a highly acclaimed chef who has worked alongside some of the most celebrated chefs in the world. Reuben began his career in the United Kingdom at several Michelin-starred restaurants before serving as Executive Chef at The Press Club in Melbourne. Reuben then took over creative control at Elektra Dining Room as well as operating Gazi restaurant, earning rave reviews from major Australian publications. Reuben now heads the culinary direction of the Mandala Club in Singapore.
Luke Nguyen, a renowned chef and restaurateur of Vietnamese-Australian descent, gained prominence for his culinary expertise. His family migrated to Australia during his infancy and established their residence in Cabramatta, located in Sydney, New South Wales. At the tender age of five, Luke started lending a hand at his parents' Vietnamese eatery. Luke's profound passion and reverence for food became evident from the very beginning, attracting recognition from all quarters.
Andrea Vignali is redefining Italian cuisine in Australia. More than a chef, he’s a
culinary influencer captivating audiences with his passion for modern Italian cooking.
Born in Milano/Brianza, Andrea trained in Michelin-starred restaurants, mastering the
balance between tradition and innovation. His expertise in handmade pasta and
contemporary cuisine led to the creation of Al Dente Enoteca, now one of
Melbourne’s top Italian dining destinations.
Andrea’s commitment to excellence extends beyond his dishes. Every
element—from ingredients to tools—reflects his dedication to Italian craftsmanship.
His selective, precise approach ensures each dish embodies passion and
authenticity.
Beyond the kitchen, Andrea’s engaging public speaking and charismatic presence
make him a sought-after personality at events. His natural confidence, humour, and
Italian charm resonate both in person and online. With an extraordinary rise
fuelled by word of mouth and social media, Andrea has become a leading voice
in modern Italian cuisine, bridging tradition with innovation and building a passionate
culinary community.
Hailing from Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Shannon Bennett is a titan of Australian gastronomy, best known for the legendary Three-Hatted Vue de monde. After training under global masters like Marco Pierre White and Alain Ducasse, Shannon returned home at just 24 to redefine fine dining with his obsessive precision and edgy, classical style. A household name for over a decade as a lead mentor on MasterChef Australia, he has authored five acclaimed culinary books and celebrated a string of iconic venues including Three-Hatted Vue de monde.
Now based in Byron Bay, Shannon’s latest evolution is The Belongil, a world-class sustainable precinct that blends "barefoot luxury" with cutting-edge hospitality. Through The Belongil, Shannon showcases some of Australia’s leading culinary talent while mentoring the next generation and shaping the future of the country’s food landscape through experiential dining, regenerative practices, and meaningful community connection.
Born and raised in the farming community of Te Awamutu, (New Zealand) is where Ben Bayly fell in love with food. Ben embarked on almost a decade of culinary discovery, working at famed restaurants with world-class chefs across the globe. Ben is a popular tv personality, appearing as a co-judge on My Kitchen Rules NZ and a guest judge on MasterChef NZ.
