Lesley Ugle
Lesley Ugle is a Noongar Elder and long-time resident of Harvey, on Bindjareb Boodja in Western Australia’s South West. A leader in her community, she is involved with the Harvey Aboriginal Corporation, which shares traditional knowledge through Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies, bush tucker and tool-making workshops, Noongar language courses and guided bush walks.
Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward
Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward is a respected elder of the Warakurna community and the Ngaanyatjarra people of Western Australia. A leader in her community, she is a cultural and community liaison officer for regional schools, a director of the NPY Women’s Council, an advocate against domestic violence, a qualified translator, an artist and a sought-after storyteller.
Dale Tilbrook
Dale is a Wardandi Bibbulmun woman whose traditional Aboriginal country is the Margaret River, Busselton area. Dale has been a Swan Valley local since 1998, when she opened the Maalinup Gallery with her brother Lyall, offering authentic Aboriginal art, gifts and souvenirs.
Brian Cole
Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Brian Cole left his homeland in 1997 because of the civil war. He discovered cooking alongside his grandmother, and the experience shaped a career that has embraced Australia’s diverse food scene.
Jordan Murphy
Jordan is from Bunbury, a small town in Western Australia’s South West. Her culinary career began at 14, when she worked casually in a small cafe in Balingup.
Courtney Short
Courtney is a young chef from Perth, Western Australia. In 2023, she completed her apprenticeship and obtained a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. She then returned to TAFE to complete a Certificate III in Patisserie, which she finished in June 2025.
Tanya Healy
Tanya Healy is Prepare Produce Provides Head Chef. She was Responsible for delivery of the WA Secondary Bush Foods Competitions State finals as well as being a mentor.
Manfred Supper
Manfred was born in Austria, where he completed his apprenticeship as a chef and began his career in the hospitality industry. His passion for food and culinary excellence led him to work and travel throughout Europe, gaining valuable experience as a chef in Spain, Switzerland and Germany.
Melissa Palinkas
Intrigued by rich flavours and a nose to tail approach to food, her passion for life in the kitchen continued to develop while working and travelling through Europe in the early 2000s before she returned home to Perth with refreshed enthusiasm for WA’s produce and the culinary arts.
Peter Tischhauser
Peter Tischhauser has vast experience in the food industry and culinary competition events. He currently holds the roles of Director, Australian Culinary Federation Western Australia; Culinary Committee and Competition Coordinator; Chairman of the Culture Cuisine and Heritage Food Committee for the World Association of Chefs Societies; and Certified International Judge, Hot Kitchen and Vegan (Worldchefs).
Em Flak
Em is an Occupational Therapist with post grad studies/work in Naturopathy and Neuromodulation Therapies. Em was a Senior Clinician at Perth Brain Centre for 9 years. Other career highlights are first OT Clinical Educator with Majarlin (Kimberley Centre for Remote Health) at the time working with the guidance of Nulungu Research Institute and Nyamba Buru Yawuru.
Daniel Lyndon
Daniel Lyndon is a proud Badimaya and Noongar man from Cue, Western Australia. Inspired by his grandmother’s cooking, Daniel brings to life the rich cultural stories and traditions of his heritage, offering a unique Aboriginal culinary experience grounded in connection to Country and community.
Neal Jackson
Neal Jackson is an English-born chef and restaurateur who has made a significant contribution to Western Australia’s dining scene. After completing his apprenticeship at London’s prestigious Savoy Hotel, he emigrated to Australia in 1971 and built a career spanning nearly five decades.
Susan Whelan
A high school work experience stint in the kitchen of a reputable Dublin restaurant may have turned Susan Whelan off life as a professional chef but it piqued what has led to a lifelong interest in the hustle and bustle of the hospitality industry.
Rohan Park
Rohan Park is one of Western Australia’s leading advocates for native Australian ingredients, regional produce, and contemporary hospitality.
Paul ‘Yoda’ Iskov
Paul ‘Yoda’ Iskov is the Head Chef of Fervor, a unique dining experience he established to connect people with local ingredients, many of which have been marginalised due to food inequalities.
Natelle Lee
Natelle began working in kitchens around 30 years ago and has had many wonderful experiences. From airline catering, fine dining restaurants, hospitals, super yachts, music festivals and events catering.