Flying to London in late 2005, the young chef had no idea a restaurant manager for Jamie Oliver sat nearby.

“She overheard a conversation I was having with my friend on the plane and tapped me on the shoulder at customs,” Kapay said.

“I went for an interview three days later and started work four days later.”

Originally from Wodonga, Kapay has returned to the Border to launch Miss Amelie, a European-based restaurant at Junction Place.

The former Wodonga High School student did his apprenticeship at Cafe Grove and also worked at Paddy’s before he headed to Britain.

Four challenging years at Fifteen with the famous Oliver was followed by a year at a restaurant owned by another celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay.

“That was difficult on another scale of cheffing,” Kapay said. “Quite gruelling, 16 hour days, no breaks, no staff meal, very hostile conditions. You learn more about what you can get out of yourself, the long hours, the discipline.”

Back in Australia six years ago, Kapay oversaw several Melbourne restaurants before grabbing the chance to develop Miss Amelie in the former railway building.

What's your favourite dish? Volcano chicken, Thai Lotus Albury.

What are the staples in your pantry? Grain bread, ham, French Dijon, beer.

What's the biggest product discovery you have made in cooking? Scottish scallops, the greatest thing to eat in the world.

What's your secret vice? Allen’s snakes

What is your recipe standby? Bouillabaisse

What is your most unforgettable meal and where? The freshest tomatoes from the vine with unpasteurised buffalo mozzarella at Gennaro Contaldo's home town, Minori, on the Amalfi coast, overlooking the ocean with a red label Peroni. Heaven. 

What's your favourite cooking utensil? Maurice, it’s a spoonula basically, it’s a spatula with a spoon. I love them, have to have them in every kitchen.

What's in your kitchen toolkit? Kapay took out a wooden box that held a collection of knives as well as medicinal and other items to help him through the week, such as nail clippers. “You should always keep your nails short as a chef,” he said.

What did you have for dinner last night? Kangaroo bolognese with homemade ricotta ravioli.

What are you drinking? Before 12 coffee, until 4 water, beer onwards.

Details: Miss Amelie 

46 Elgin Boulevard, Wodonga. 

Phone: (02) 6056 4170