AARON Jose is right at home with the quality local produce grown right on his doorstep.
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The executive chef at Lindenwarrah’s Restaurant Merlot was drawn back to the region four-and-a-half years ago after a successful career in Melbourne.
Having been raised at Myrtleford, Jose learnt his trade in the highly-acclaimed hatted restaurant, Simone’s of Bright.
“I was lucky to get my foot in the door,” he said.
“I had ditched school in Year 11 and waited seven months for that position to come up at Simone’s.”
Having worked in the Brunswick Street precinct in Melbourne, Jose teamed up with celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Tobie Puttock on their reality TV series Jamie’s Kitchen Australia, which inspired disadvantaged youth through food.
He spent four years working under Oliver at the Fifteen restaurant in Melbourne.
“It was an amazing time working in the city and great networking,” Jose said.
Later Jose moved to two-hatted restaurant MoMo as sous chef under Greg Malouf.
“I learnt a lot from Greg Malouf about respecting the produce; you don’t need to play with it too much,” she said.
Jose moved back to the region with wife Jaquie and their children, Emma, 9, and Harrison, 6.
What's your favourite dish?
The beef on the menu at Restaurant Merlot.
What's your favourite season?
Spring. Fresh peas, asparagus and broad beans.
What are the staples in your pantry now?
Spices like cumin, coriander and peppers. I was heavily influenced working with Greg Malouf for two years.
What is your earliest cooking memory?
Cooking pancakes with my mum and Nan as a little kid. Mum and her six sisters were good cooks. Mum always had sauces on the go.
Which ingredients do you grow yourself?
We have a herb garden but I source nasturtium flowers from my aunt and other produce from wherever I can.
Which six people would you invite to dinner?
Tiger Woods, Shane Crawford, Buddy Franklin, Greg Malouf, Mum and Dad.
What is your favourite foodie ritual?
Going to the butchers every week with the kids.
What are you bingeing on TV?
Making a Murderer, S2.
What did you have for dinner last night?
A chicken and cashews dish. It was leftovers because we had a school concert.
What are you drinking at the moment?
Blonde beer, or a good durif.
Details:
Restaurant Merlot,
Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa, phone: (03) 5720 5777
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