Chefs & Foodies

 Our mouths are salivating for who is coming to Relish this year!

Rocco Turina

Rocco started his cooking career when he was 14 years old. Later he obtained a diploma from the Torino culinary academy (Istituto Alberghiero Colombatto) and then began his apprenticeship in many restaurants and hotels around Italy, France and England.

In 1975 Rocco opened his first restaurant in Cavour, with his wife Mara. He became a teacher at the culinary institute in Pinerolo,Piemonte. He also became head chef of one of the best restaurants in Palm Beach, Sydney, names Villa Jonas al mare, during a long stay in Australia, between 1982 and 1984.

He moved permanently with his whole family to Australia in 2002, and he opened a restaurant in Brisbane named Conte Cavour, the same name as his first restaurant in Italy. In 2004 he sold the restaurant in Brisbane to move to Hervey Bay with his wife, where they started a new adventure: Villa Cavour Bed and Breakfast. Here he continues his passion for food with cooking classes for guests and locals, where he combines the tradition of Italian cuisine with the amazing local produce that the Fraser Coast has to offer.

Tom Jack

HERVEY BAY’S award winning Coast Restaurant and Bar has welcomed their new head chef, Tom Jack, who brings a wealth of experience to the table and a fresh menu with a strong focus on local produce. Growing up in Byron Bay and having worked in some of the country’s most respected venues including the iconic Restaurant II and a number of venues under the popular Moubment Group in Brisbane, the talented chef is known for his unique style of cooking and passion for creativity. Working alongside many major name chefs not only in Australia but also overseas Tom spent two years in London at The Connaught and at Marcus with celebrity chef Marcus Wareing.

As well as spotlighting local produce, Tom aims to keep his customers guessing by adding an element of surprise.The creative young chef says his love for cooking came from his mum but his passion comes from every chef he has met, everyone he has worked with and every customer he has served.

Saul Collins

Saul inherited his love of food growing up with his family well involved in the South west Victorian foodie scene. His professional career began with apprenticeships in Brisbane’s Italian influenced Romeo’s restaurant, Greek DaGapos and The Breakfast creek Wharf, where he met and worked with his future wife.

Together they returned to his home town in Victoria in 2002 where Saul worked within the fine dining scene for some years and opened his own Restaurant “Proudfoots on the River” in Warrnambool. Using fresh local produce to create well cooked dish’s that everyone can enjoy, Proudfoots quickly became a popular destination for foodies within the south west.

Late 2015 saw Saul return to the Sunshine state to join family in Hervey Bay. With seafood being a particular favourite for him to work with, the produce locally sourced in Hervey Bay and surrounds has drawn fresh inspiration and passion to his menus.

As the executive chef of The Vinyard Saul has enjoyed creating a fresh style menu which is constantly evolving to highlight local seasonal ingredients in popular share style dish’s matched to exceptional wines, a complete experience.

Dan and Steph 

Dan and Steph Mulheron became the lovable every day Aussie couple on the fourth series of channel Sevens largest cooking show, My Kitchen Rules.

Since taking out the title of 'Champions' in 2013, they have continued to work extremely hard towards their culinary and personal goals.

They have opened their own restaurant called EAT at Dan & Steph's in their home town of Hervey Bay QLD. 

Their biggest goal in life was achieved early last year when Dan and Steph introduced their first child into the world! This was the driving force behind their decision to enter MKR as they had to travel the IVF route & now she is finally here!

Dan & Steph have a huge passion for food and family.