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BIOGARPHY
Outback Matty - Jamie Oliver's Graduate

www.matthewmckenzie.com.au

Matthew comes from another walk of life. A dark past as a struggling teenager caught in the circle of heavy drug addiction, alcohol, crime and family abuse. He suffered heavy depression for about nine months and contemplated jumping off a bridge to end his life; Matty was also homeless living on the street eating out of bins at the age of 15 whilst living in an abandoned water tower all alone. He was expelled from three high schools and had his first criminal record at fifteen years old. Matthew’s culinary career took off with gusto when he was accepted into Jamie Oliver's first international restaurant, Fifteen Melbourne, Australia.

Matthew carried out training at Box Hill Institute of TAFE and then qualified at Sofitel Culinary Academy Melbourne. After successfully graduating from Fifteen Melbourne at the age of 21, Matthew landed his second chef position at Melbourne’s finest three hat French restaurant “Vue de Monde” under the professional mentoring of world renowned chef and entrepreneur, Shannon Bennett. From there, his career excelled with an offer to fly overseas to Hakuba, Japan, to launch the innovative Bar and Restaurant, created by Australia’s first winter Olympic gold medallist, Steven Bradbury, at the boutique 4 star Aqua Alpine Hotel. After the successful launch, including Matty’s own signature dishes, he returned to Brisbane, Australia, where he was appointed Head Chef at the famous historical Old Government House Queensland. Matthew was employed as a private chef and hotel ambassador in 2011 for the private fine dining French restaurant “Privé 249” of Brisbane’s finest 5 star Sofitel Hotel.

Matty now runs his catering business “Divine Dinners” and teachers his “Life Skills Education” program to disadvantaged indigenous and other youth across Australia. Matty says: “it is very rewarding when you know you have helped make positive changes for these kids”.

Matthew has worked alongside the following celebrity chefs; Jamie Oliver and Tobie Puttock from Fifteen, Masterchefs George Calombaris & Gary Mehigan, Gordon Ramsey, Dominique Rizzo from Ready Steady Cook, Curtis Stone and Shannon Bennett from Vue de Monde, and others.

Matthew has catered for high profile clients including the Australian Governor General Ms Quentin Bryce and Queensland State Premier Ms Anna Bligh. He has also cooked for Aussie actress Madeleine West (UnderBelly, Neighbours), Hamish and Andy (Rove Live), first winter Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury, singers Neil Diamond, Usher, Snoop Dog, Kesha, Foo Fighters, Justin Bieber and pop singing sensation Dannii Minogue, just to name a few.