Fortunately the judges absolutely loved the meal, not only for its great flavours but for the story that it told about Chris’s food philosophy. More importantly, the meal resonated with millions of Australians and put old fashioned, traditional cuts and cooking methods back on the menu.

Known as the hat wearing beer merchant, Chris was one of the constant favourites to take out the title of MasterChef Australia 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.

While MasterChef provided a life changing experience and exposure to exceptional training opportunities, the show was a clear extension of his day job.

Chris has not always been this boutique beer loving, nose to tail advocate. He has spent the vast majority of his life forming this food philosophy in his own and his mother’s and friends’ kitchens and in the restaurants and cookbooks of great chefs from Australia and abroad. Over time, he has discovered that this is the food that he likes to cook and to eat and has found the perfect accompaniment in craft beer.

He takes great satisfaction in the fact that the bounty he now enjoys preparing and eating, comes from the lesser cuts and off casts and by today’s standard, the unworthy.

He feels he was lucky to discover this culinary world and is keen to share its tasty and affordable secrets with the rest of Australia.

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.