Unsure of what he wanted to do for a career, Simon Palmer (E'cco Bistro, Brisbane) stumbled into hospitality in the regional city of Newcastle as a means to make money. He soon fell in love with the energy, and into kitchens where true mentorship from great chefs helped him begin to carve his own...

Growing up in a huge family on a tiny island in Holland, Sander Nooij (Yellow, Sydney) had a limited experience of food in his childhood. But when the opportunity to travel and explore the world presented itself, he dived head-first into the hospitality sector. It took him to some amazing places,...