Bio
For chef, author and television presenter Ben O'Donoghue, cooking is a passion and a reflex, it's something he's done since childhood and it never ceases to give him pleasure or stimulate his imagination. He unequivocally believes that food should be simple and distinctive, technically and culturally correct.
Ben's first foray as a restaurateur (Co-Owner and Executive Chef) for new Brisbane restaurant and bar South Bank Surf Club has given him the opportunity to embrace a quintessentially Australian virtue - the love of a good old Surf Club! Complete with the sophisticated twist of an inner-city waterfront location and a brilliant menu, Ben's philosophy is to keep the emphasis on a relaxed and welcoming dining setting featuring great food and terrific atmosphere. Obviously a winning formula with South Bank Surf Club awarded 'Best Casual Dining' in the prestigious Courier-Mail Queensland Food & Wine Guide Awards after only four months of opening.
Ben's passion for the Australian countryside and love of local produce is also very much evident in his latest television series - Channel Seven's Drive thru Australia airing February 2011- an Aussie road trip of epic proportions! In his decked out 4WD/SUV, complete with a state-of- the-art foldout barbeque kitchen, Ben takes in some of the country's most amazing destinations and indulges in some of its finest gourmet offerings.
In the beginnings Ben started his career working in a number of top class Australian restaurants including 'Tribeca' and 'Goodfellas' in Sydney and 'Jessica's' in Perth before moving to London. For four years he worked at 'The River Café' and then joined his mate Jamie Oliver at the exclusive 'Monte's Club' as Executive Chef.
Ben then worked as Executive Chef at the famous 'Atlantic Bar & Grill' and helped Oliver Peyton win the contract to open the 'National Dining Room' at the National Gallery with his creative and seasonal menus. Ben is now the creative director of food for 'The Great Australian Pie Company' in the UK.
Now living back in Australia after 13 years in the UK, Ben was one of the chefs in the original series of 'The Best', which produced an accompanying book of the same name. His television credits also include four series of the internationally acclaimed food and travel program, 'Surfing the Menu', a journey to source and cook with the finest, freshest ingredients from all over Australia and New Zealand. The popular series screens in Australia and the UK and has also been sold to over 30 other territories. He was the food judge for Lifestyle Food's 'Great BBQ Challenge' series and starred in three series of 'The Best In Australia'; and appeared on BBC's Saturday Kitchen and US food channels Planet Food. Ben also appeared on the first season of Channel Ten's top rating 'MasterChef' as a guest celebrity chef.
When not in the kitchen Ben is frequently working at his laptop writing a regular column for Delicious Magazine in Australia as well as writing cookbooks with Hardie Grant Books, 'Outdoor: Grill Your Way Round the World' was released in October 2008, with the second edition Ben's Barbeque released in August 2009.
Ben's newest book launched November 2010 titled At Home - depicts a snap-shot of his stellar cooking career covering family meals, economy of food, dishes to impress and everyday meals.
Ben is currently a brand ambassador for Wilshire and Variety Queensland. In his spare time, Ben enjoys surfing, fly-fishing and playing with his three children.