jeff martin

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Chef's Preview Luncheon

18th February 2008

The Back of House exhibition in Melbourne would never have been possible, if each chef had not allowed me into their kitchen. I decided that the best way to thank them for this, was to feed them. A meal, no, a feast, served in the gallery, surrounded by the paintings of their kitchens. It would be like a chef's table for chef's... but what to cook?

In the wee hours of one morning from my studio, I called Lucio Sforza, the chef and owner of a small restaurant in town of Orvieto, Italy, with a crazy idea. Would he consider coming to Australia, to cook one meal for 22 guests? As luck would have it, he was in a car driving between Rome and Orvieto and was having a bad day. He said yes without giving it a second thought and I booked the flights.

Lucio Sforza, pictured here with me, was recently voted one of the top three chef's in Italy by Gambero Rosso.

I need to thank a few people that made the lunch possible,

Lucio Sforza for his time and passion.

Rob Gould for allowing me to turn one of Australia's best galleries into a dining room.

Justin King who got to cook with Lucio on the lunch day.

The floor staff that left our chef thinking Australia is slightly above average!

Ari Vlassopoulos, Age Good Food Guide - Service Excellence Award 2008

Ben Canavan, owner of Lawson Grove

Chris Young of Jacques Reymond

Grant Hilliard from Sean's Panaroma and also owner of Feather and Bone.

Ed Thompson, owner of Ed Dixon Food Design for the table lay out and 'wow' factor.

Sarah Louise Ricketts, from Appleton Street Studios for creating the serviettes.

Josh Ellis for photographing the lunch and eating the leftovers.

Romcaffe for keeping Lucio supplied with coffee all day.

Wine for the lunch was supplied by Arquilla Wines, a long time supporter of Jeff Martin

Placesettings hire for all the equipment needed to make a commercial kitchen appear and disappear.