Our Committees

George Calombaris -Chef & restaurateur
A judge on Australia’s most successful TV show MasterChef, George owns restaurants in Melbourne and Mykonos and has authored several cookbooks.

Gail Donovan - Restaurateur
Gail’s flair for design and grasp of the essentials of relaxing hospitality have helped make Donovans one of the Melbourne’s most iconic restaurants.

Andrew McConnell - Chef
Andrew is behind some of Melbourne’s most celebrated restaurants including Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co and The Age Good Food Guide’s Best New Restaurant 2012, Golden Fields.

Matt Preston - Food writer
MasterChef judge Matt is a seasoned & award winning journalist who regularly contributes to Australia’s most prestigious food and lifestyle publications.

Ben Shewry - Chef
Ben’s fearless and innovative style has earned numerous accolades for Attica including The Age Good Food Guide’s Restaurant of the Year 2012.

Tony Tan - Chef
Tony conducts hugely popular cooking classes in Melbourne, writes for numerous magazines and leads enthusiastic foodies on gastronomic tours around the globe.

Max Allen - Wine writer
A celebrated wine communicator and author, Max is one of the most respected names in the business with a passion for biodynamics.

Ben Edwards - Sommelier/wine writer
Show judging, wine writing and director of The Wine Guide, Ben is is also President of Sommeliers Australia and co-contributing to The Australian Wine Companion.

Simon Napthine - TarraWarra Estate
Simon is the general manager of TarraWarra Estate whose Chardonnay and Pinot Noir consistently receive widespread acclaim and many prestigious Australian and international awards.

Kate McIntyre MW- Wine writer
Highly decorated and engaging wine presenter, Kate has won multiple accolades and was awarded Master of Wine in 2010.

Michael McNamara - Retailer
Prior to becoming a partner in The Prince Wine Store, Michael’s export business saw him create a number of successful new labels for overseas markets.

Jeremy Oliver - Wine writer
Popular wine host, presenter, Melbourne Food & Wine Board member and leading ambassador for wine in Asia, Jeremy’s authored 20 books, including his wine guide in Chinese. 

Patrick Walsh - Importer
Following early sommelier days and role as ASA president, Patrick established CellarHand, distributing some of Europe, NZ and Australia’s most distinguished wines.

Pam Bakes

Jill Dupleix

Bob Hart

Claude Forrell

METRO

Barrie Barton - Publisher/Marketeer
Barrie's company, Right Angle produces print custom publications for brands such as Levi’s, the City of Melbourne and Tourism Victoria.

Matteo Pignatelli - Chef & Restaurateur
Owner of iconic Melbourne restaurant Matteo's, he currently serves as President on the board of the Restaurant and Catering Assoc of Victoria.

Dani Valent - Freelance food writer.
Dani works as a freelance journalist for The Age, where her columns include a weekly restaurant review.

Llawela Forrest - Founder of Run Forrest
Run Forrest is a boutique marketing, public relations and brand communications business that works with clients boasting food & wine, lifestyle and tourism products

Matt Skinner - Wine author, broadcaster and writer
Matt is wine editor of JamieOliver.com and oversees Fifteen Restaurant Groups wine lists.

REGIONAL

George Biron - Chef & Restaurateur
Sunnybrae Restaurant & Cooking School in regional Victoria is the setting of the legendary lunches showcasing the best of regional food & and exceptional cooking classes .

Ralph Kyte-Powell - Wine writer
Ralph's column in The Age has been a must read for wine lovers for 16 years. He is co-author of the Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide and drinks editor for Delicious magazine.

Richard Cornish - Food writer
Richard is the Senior Features Writer for The Age Epicure,  Co-author of  MoVida: Spanish Culinary Adventures & MoVida Rustica and Food Writer for G Magazine

Daniella Mollica - Regional producer
Daniella is the owner of Isola Chianina in Gippsland and Co-founder and President of Slow Food Melbourne.