Homegrown Chef | Miss Amelie chef Ben Warhurst to join Matilda 159 Domain in South Yarra
AT only 19, Ben Warhurst has just landed his first job at a hatted Melbourne restaurant.
Born-and-bred in Wodonga, Warhurst will start work for chef and restaurateur Scott Pickett at his South Yarra restaurant, Matilda 159 Domain next month.
Warhurst only qualified as a chef at Wodonga fine dining restaurant Miss Amelie last week.
"I always planned to go to Melbourne in time but to be able to work somewhere like Matilda is amazing," he said.
South Australian-born Pickett excelled in Michelin star restaurants before starting his own Melbourne venture in 2011.
He opened Estelle Bar Kitchen in Melbourne's North followed by Collingwood venue, Saint Crispin, two years later. He opened Matilda 159 Domain during 2018.
Warhurst said he reached out to Pickett after dining there last spring.
"All of the food is cooked over fire or charcoal," Warhurst said.
"David (Kapay) recommended Matilda to me and I really loved it; the service was great."
Having built up social media business Ben's Food Diary and as the founder of the Border Food Forum, Warhurst was grateful for the start he got on the Border.
"Working under Rod at BeanStation and David at Miss Amelie taught me so much about how your time and love can be seen on the plate."
MEET MORE HOMEGROWN CHEFS:
What is your favourite dish?
Braised beef with plenty of spices, on a fresh flatbread.
What is your favourite season?
Winter. That slow-cooked and casserole style that's just so delicious.
What are the staples in your pantry?
Chocolate, chocolate and chocolate.
What is your earliest cooking memory?
Cooking pies made of actual MUD for my grandma ... and wanting her to try them!
Which ingredients do you grow yourself?
Herbs, chilli, capsicum, carrots, beetroot, onions and citrus.
Name six people you'd invite to your own dinner party.
Heston Blumenthal, Christina Tosi, Grant Cardone, Chris Lucas, Nick Palumbo and Richard Branson.
What is a favourite foodie ritual?
Eating perfect toasted sandwiches and watching Dr Phil.
What are you bingeing on TV? If anything.
Chef's Table on Netflix
What did you have for dinner last night?
Pulled lamb with cous cous and Mississippi mud cake.
What are you drinking?
Billson's Lemon Lime Bitters (THE BEST!)