Chef & Food Writer

Stephanie Alexander is a well regarded Melbourne chef and owner of award winning Melbourne restaurants Stephanie’s in Fitzroy and Hawthorn East. She has received a number of personal awards including the first ever Special Crown awarded by the Age Good Food Guide for personal distinction. Stephanie is a champion for the quality and diversity of Australian food, a published writer and lobbyist for kitchen garden programs in Victorian primary schools. 

Stephanie Alexander is one of Australia's best-known chefs and food writers - a national treasure who possesses the rare talent of writing as well as she cooks.

Originally trained as a librarian, she ran her Melbourne restaurant, Stephanie's, for 21 years before closing in 1997 to concentrate upon other ventures. The restaurant was the recipient of many national and international awards and accolade and was regarded as the quintessential Melbourne experience. Stephanie is now a partner in the Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder.

Stephanie has long been an outspoken champion of the quality and diversity of Australian produce and the importance of good food in our lives. She has been a guest chef at many of the great world restaurants, including the Ritz Carlton, London's Inn on the Park, and Sydney's The Regent Hotel.

In 1994 Stephanie was awarded an Order of Australia for her services to the hospitality industry and tourism, and she received an Australian Achievement Award in 1995.

Stephanie is the author of several best-selling books, including the widely acclaimed Stephanie's Seasons and The Cook's Companion, and she is co-author of the recent Stephanie Alexander & Maggie Beer's Tuscan Cookbook. She also contributes regularly to The Age and Good Weekend Magazine.

Stephanie’s most recent public project was production and presentation of a seven-part television series on Australian food and wine, A Share Table, for ABC Television

Presentation Topics Include

• Cooking
• Writing
• Food journalism