Known as the hat wearing beer merchant, Chris was one of the constant favourites to take out the title of MasterChef Australia Series 1 and was well regarded by the judges, industry and viewers for his technical cooking ability, food knowledge and clinical approach.
Chris shared with the audience his passionate views on eating and drinking. Namely that you can eat and drink exceedingly well without paying a King’s ransom and if an animal dies to feed you, you have a social obligation to ensure that all parts of the animal are used respectfully. He demonstrated to a doubting public just how exceptional an ingredient beer can be and introduced many new people to the booming craft beer scene in Australia.
As promised he has opened the doors to his boutique beer bar and restaurant “Josie Bones” in Melbourne, late November 2010 and in the same month launch his long awaited first book ‘The Entire Beast’ with Penguin Lantern , it’s striking, moody design and photography and its recipes so true to Chris’ philosophy made it a Christmas favourite.
Chris resides in an old roller skating rink in Fitzroy Melbourne with his cat Cadbury, surrounded by his impressive collection of cookbooks, kitchenalia and his artworks. He uses his witty and dark sense of humour to communicate his thoughts on a cuisine that is close to his heart and stomach. While slightly off beat, unconventional and irreverent, tattooed and be-hatted, Chris is very entertaining and always memorable.
