Biography:

As our obsession for macarons and other sweet treats reaches fever pitch, Melbourne’s very own sugar guru, Darren Purchese from Burch & Purchese show us why dessert should always come first.

Biography:

Trained at Tetsuya’s and inspired by a short stint at Noma, chef and food photographer Luke is cooking some of Australia’s most exciting food – earning him the Best New Talent crown in the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Restaurant Awards.

Biography:

Born in South Korea, Sang Hoon migrated to Belgium at the age of four. A sommelier-turned chef, he opened L’Air du Temps in 1997, quickly earning two Michelin stars for his evocative, nuanced, molecular food (think liquid ravioli of yoghurt and verbena).

This visit is made possible through the support of Crown.

Moderator: Andre Smaniotto

Biography:

Peter is one of Australia’s most inspirational chefs. A passionate gardener, Peter works closely with farmers and food producers to source exceptional ingredients to create food that is a celebration of nature’s beauty and diversity. Small wonder that Quay is Australia's highest ranking restaurant on the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Biography:

Our boy from Newcastle who took London by storm, Brett shot to fame working at The Square, before opening The Ledbury in Notting Hill and winning two Michelin stars, wowing fans with flame-grilled mackerel with Celtic mustard, and Yorkshire grouse with lapsang souchong prunes.

Brett Graham's visit is supported by Circa, The Prince. 

Moderator: Jake Nicolson

Biography:

Born in Jutland, this tall blonde young Dane, inspired by Michel Bras, cooked with René Redzepi before putting down roots at Denmark’s oldest country castle. Now he candies herbs, boils twigs, smokes milk and pickles nettles, for what he calls his ‘landscape gastronomy’.

This visit is made possible through the support of Denmark House and Wonderful Copenhagen.

Moderator: Jacques Reymond

Biography:

After a stint as head chef at Spain’s renowned Mugaritz, Dan returned to Australia – and the accolades haven’t stopped since. Awarded 2011 Restaurant of the Year and Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Regional Restaurant of the Year, Dan has gained phenomenal renown for both his commitment to local produce and his ability to transform the seemingly simple into the sublime.

Biography:

Sat 10 March sesssion - SOLD OUT

He was Thomas Keller’s three Michelin star chef at The French Laundry before playing with technique, texture and wit (an eel ‘cigar’ in an ‘ash-tray’) to create San Francisco’s most progressive dining experience. David Chang says Benu will be the best restaurant in America, ‘if not now, then damn soon’.

Corey Lee's visit is supported by Cutler & Co Dining Room.

Moderator: Andrew McConnell

Biography:

Celebrated chef and author, Christine has travelled the world as an Australian culinary ambassador. From the much acclaimed Paramount restaurant in Sydney to East@West in London, she returned, thankfully, to Sydney in 2007 to open the award-winning Universal.

Biography:

Awarded Young Chef of The Year by Observer Food Monthly in 2010, Stevie popped up on our radar with his pop-up project Moveable Kitchen and first book My Kitchen – Real Food from Near and Far. River Café-trained, he now cooks his modern global food at London’s Dock Kitchen.

Stevie Parle's visit is supported by Pope Joan.

Moderator: Matt Wilkinson

Biography:

Christian hates boxes and refuses to be categorised. Trained at elBulli and Taillevent, the Sicilian-born chef worked with René Redzepi at the world’s number one restaurant, Noma, before opening Relæ in 2010, to concentrate on pure, authentic flavour. ‘It’s all about the mouthful,’ he says.

This visit is made possible through the support of Denmark House and Wonderful Copenhagen.

Moderator: Ben Shewry

Biography:

Rosio’s passion for all things pastry took her from Chicago straight to the Big Apple, where she worked at the groundbreaking wd-50 restaurant with the innovative Alex Stupak. She is now pastry chef at the world’s number one restaurant, Noma.

This visit is made possible through the support of Denmark House and Wonderful Copenhagen.

Moderator: Matt Preston

Biography:

They're reclaiming Italian food for the next generation, and New York is loving it.  With five stars from New York Magazine, these ragazzi refuse to import anything from Italy - so how come everything tastes so goddamn Italian?

Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone's visit is supported by MoVida Aqui.

Moderator: Frank Camorra

Biography:

Sat 10 March sesssion - SOLD OUT

The genius behind the menu at Ming Court (Langham Place, Hong Kong), for which his talents recently won two Michelin stars, chef Tsang is an acknowledged master of the natural harmony of Cantonese cuisine.

This visit is made possible through the support of Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Moderator: Anthony Ross

Biography:

Awarded one star and named a Rising Star by the 2011 Michelin Guide, Serge cooks in a stunning chateau in the volcanic landscape of central France; his striking food scales the heights of clarity, lightness and creativity.

This visit is made possible through the support of Crown.

Moderator: Andre Smaniotto

Biography:

She started working at her local food market at seven years old, and hasn’t stopped since. Trinh Diem Vy (Ms Vy) opened her first restaurant, Mermaid, in 1992. Three restaurants, a bakery and patisserie, and a popular cookery school later, she’s the go-to girl for exquisite Vietnamese cuisine.

Trinh Diem Vy's visit is supported by Dandelion.

Moderator: Geoff Lindsay

Biography:

London-born Simon wouldn’t live anywhere but Auckland, where he is chef/owner of much-lauded The French Café, and winner of Outstanding Chef as well as Outstanding Restaurant in the prestigious 2010 Lewisham Awards.

This visit is made possible through the support of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.