Matthew Kemp
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Matthew Kemp has become one of Australia’s most well respected and recognised chefs. Originating from the UK and now calling Australia home he has worked with and for some of the best in the business.For Matthew Kemp a passion for food and cooking started early and proved to be in his blood.
“By the time I was thirteen I knew I wanted to cook. There were no ifs, ands or buts,” says Matthew Kemp. Kemp’s mother was a waitress and she got him his first job at “a two-bit café in Essex”. At age sixteen, she helped him secure an apprenticeship at a catering company.
“Everything I took at school from age fourteen on was all about cooking. I took French because it’s the language of food; art for the creativity and knowledge of aesthetic presentation; and chemistry so I could understand the basics of gastronomy.”
Since those early days in Essex, Kemp has honed his skills at restaurants around the globe. He has worked at some of London’s finest hotels and restaurants including The Square, a Michelin two-starred restaurant. “Phillip Howard, the head chef, taught me so much about food, says Kemp.
Matthew worked as Chef de Cuisine at the now defunct, but once legendary, Banc. “It was amazing what we achieved there. Within a year and a half of my being there it got three hats, scored 18/20 in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide and won Best Restaurant of the Year.”
Opening his own restaurant Restaurant Balzac in 2000 at The Spot in Randwick and then due to demand for Kemp’s food moving to a larger premise in the heart of Randwick Junction. In January 2011 he decided to expand his portfolio and went into partnership with Jeremy Bentley to open a new restaurant The Devonshire.
11 years later, with a wall full of awards, industry respect, a successful and popular restaurant Matthew decided to shake things up a bit and close Restaurant Balzac. He relaunched the business on 13th September 2011 as The Montpellier Public House.
Matthew’s philosophy is to simply provide fresh, seasonal, quality, affordable food in a suburban location that offers something for everyone. On the plate he marries Gastro Pub inspired food with fresh Modern French tastes and heart-warming British comfort food.
Catch Matthew Kemp at the following Tasting Australia events:
Miele Chefs' Showcase - Sat 28 April
Kids in the Kitchen Presented by San Remo - Sat 28 & Sun 29 April
Selector Word of Mouth - Sun 29 April
The Best of British Dinner - Mon 30 April
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