Nuovo Mondo

Stefano de Pieri has long been a household name throughout Australia, and increasingly overseas, thanks to his contribution to food and wine communication. Besides the success of 'Stefano's' restaurant, it was the ABC television series, Gondola on the Murray, which catapulted this selftaught cook into the public's imagination. Through food, and through his easy, approachable manner, Stefano has represented causes close to his heart as a spokesperson, advocate, Board Member and ambassador. He has previously published Modern Italian with Hardie Grant Books. Jim McDougall completed his apprenticeship at the Grand Hotel under Stefano de Pieri. In 2006 Jim moved to Melbourne to work at three-hat restaurant Vue de Monde under Shannon Bennett, where he worked for three years cooking for elite clientele including Gordon Ramsey, Rod Stewart, Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal, Michel Roux and many others. In that time he was promoted three times, ending his time at Vue de Monde as sous chef. He was then promoted to head chef of Shannon's new restaurant Cafe Vue at 401.