Christie’s auctioneer Michael Broadbent once said, “Drinking with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilised pleasures.”
Many of our wine and food speakers are well-versed both in the kitchen and on camera. They have been participants in the hottest cooking contests in the nation and have welcomed us into their lives as they document the magic behind the transcendent meals they make.
Many of the best dishes in the world could be produced in under one hour. The finest wines?
Similarly, our wine speakers will take you on a journey through the planet’s finest wineries, walking with you as they venture amid the vines and the beauty that comes when we uncork a bottle of our favourite red or white.
Begin your shortlist below or for more information on our Speakers Bureau, call us on 1300 884 485 today.
As you hear their narratives, you will realise our chef’s desires to pass on their legacies of supremacy to the next generation. But it is not merely a matter of idealism – contests, cooking shows and books are inspiring our culinary passion.
And our nutritionist speakers will help you discover your most cherished food and drink while maintaining your health and how to relish your dishes that are prized.
Begin your journey by selecting your favourite presenters below, or call us on 1300 884 485 to discover more about Australia’s favourite Speakers Bureau.
New chefs have risen through the ranks of the nation’s best restaurants and favourite television shows in Australia.
Wine has followed exactly the same course. Though wineries have yet to reach the same rock star status of our favourite restaurants, their hand crafted artistry is fast becoming an essential element of social gatherings, meals and events the world over.
The top kitchens in Australia do not run on chance – they run on a healthy dose of panicked routine, determination and perspiration.
Nutritionists have also emerged amid the foodie movement to help us understand how and what we eat and drink affects the way our minds and bodies work.
Matt Preston is a food journalist, restaurant critic and television personality. Best known as a judge on MasterChef Australia, Preston currently writes for delicious and MasterChef magazines. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Matt also writes a national column for the Taste Section for all News Ltd’s metro papers. Preston was the Creative Director of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival for five years from 2005-2009.
Karen Martini has a versatile national media presence as an award winning Chef, Restaurateur, Writer, and Television host. She is a creative talent with a respected and credible voice on the business and behaviour of Australia's food scene. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Karen is part of the Seven Network’s Better Homes and Gardens on-air family serving up dishes to over a million viewers each week as the resident Chef. 2011 will mark her 5th year on Australia’s longest running Lifestyle series. She can also be seen as a judge visiting family kitchens across Australia on the networks reality domestic chef program My Kitchen Rules.
Guy Grossi is an affable, passionate and playful master chef who specialises in pure Italian cuisine. He commands three kitchens with discipline, song, music, creativity and devotion. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Guy is the driving force behind one of Melbournes oldest restaurants, Grossi Florentino in Bourke Street Melbourne, and Mirka in Fitzroy Street St Kilda and has opened his first international venture Grossi Trattoria and Wine Bar at the Intercontinental in Bangkok.
Born and raised in Sydney to a French Mother and a true blue Aussie Father, Justine Schofield has always had a passion for cooking. With her Mother being as French as they come, Justine was lucky enough to be brought up in a bilingual household and speaks French as if she were a native. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. “My fascination with the food, and the French way of life draws me back every time, it’s amazing how the food and culture change each time you arrive in a different region. I am equally proud of my French heritage as I am of my Australian and when the opportunity arises I would like to live in France for a while to discover every little corner I can!”
Dan Hong's career began in his family's Sydney-based Vietnamese restaurant chain, Thanh Binh. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Honing his craft at Longrain, Pello and Marque, three of Sydney’s most celebrated establishments, Dan subsequently took the position of Chef de Partie at the legendary Tetsuya’s in 2005. Dan was later appointed Sous Chef of the opening team of Bentley Restaurant and Bar in 2006, two years later won the prestigious Josephine Pignolet Best Young Chef Award at the SMH Good Food Guide Awards.
Executive Chef of The European Group venues, Ian Curley must be one of the busiest Chefs in Melbourne. With three venues, three kitchens and multiple menus to oversee, his work is never done! Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Ian was born in Coventry, England in 1964. After studying and working in the UK for several years, he moved to Australia in 1988. Ian worked as Head Chef at The Point from 1996, honing his skill and style. After three years he moved to Stella, Spring Street, Melbourne. He went back to The Point in 2001 as Executive Chef of the whole group, overseeing the myriad of different spaces, from formal dining to cafe space.
Mum, wife, cook, singer and public speaker, Julie Goodwin is the epitome of a busy Australian Mum. With her warm and friendly approach and her love of family, food and community, Julie is one face guaranteed to be in our kitchens for years to come. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Born and raised in Sydney, she started a degree in education but left to pursue a career in youth work. After working for several years presenting workshops in schools across Australia, she moved to the Central Coast where she married her long-time partner, Michael. She continued her youth work holding a position in a juvenile detention centre, and as a singer performed at many functions around the area.
Gregory Llewellyn is known in Australia for being American. He’s also known for cooking from his gut, loving late nights, doing the school run with his baseball cap on backwards and hanging and chatting with people who make him laugh. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Gregory and his Australian wife Naomi, moved to Australia from the US and in 2012 they opened the perennially popular neighbourhood restaurant Hartsyard in Enmore, Sydney.
Luke Mangan is one of Australia's leading chefs and restaurateurs and is highly regarded internationally as a shining example of Australia's culinary culture. Luke currently owns and operates glass brasserie, Hilton Sydney; Salt grill, Hilton Surfers Paradise; Salt grill and Salt tapas & bar, Singapore; Salt and the adjoining World Wine Bar, Tokyo; and Salt grill onboard three P&O cruise liners. He is also the consulting chef for Virgin Australia. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. He has written four bestselling cookbooks BLD – Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, Luke Mangan Food, Luke Mangan Classics, and At Home and in the Mood and most recently, his autobiography The Making of a Chef.
Giovana Falanga better known as ‘Gigi’ is one of the most exciting emerging talents in the dynamic world of Australian desserts and cakes. Areas of speciality include Food & Wine Speakers. Having worked in some of Sydney’s finest restaurants and under some of Australia’s best pastry masterminds, Gigi brings her unique combination of elegance, finesse, skill and creativity to everything that she does in and out of the kitchen.
