Ben Shewry facts for kids
.jpg)
Chefs Andrew McConnell (left) and Ben Shewry (right) at Australia's Top Restaurants Awards
|
|
| Born | 1977 Waitara, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Cooking style | Australian, Contemporary |
| Spouse | Kylie Shewry |
|
Rating(s)
|
|
|
Current restaurant(s)
|
|
|
Television show(s)
|
|
|
Award(s) won
|
|
Ben Shewry (born 1977) is a famous chef from New Zealand. He owns a well-known restaurant called Attica in Melbourne, Australia. His restaurant is special because it is a certified B Corporation, meaning it meets high standards for social and environmental performance. Ben has also written books about cooking, including "Uses for Obsession."
Contents
Early Life and Inspiration
Ben Shewry grew up on a farm in the North Island of New Zealand. His childhood was spent in the natural areas and along the coast of North Taranaki. These early experiences deeply influenced his cooking style. He started working in restaurants very young. He had his first job at a local restaurant when he was just 10 years old. By age 14, he was already working in a kitchen.
A Unique Cooking Style
Ben Shewry became known for his unique approach to cooking. He was one of the chefs featured in the Netflix show Chef's Table. This show explored his life, challenges, and what inspires his cooking.
Using Native Ingredients
Ben's cooking philosophy focuses on using ingredients native to Australia and New Zealand. He finds inspiration in the traditional Maori hangi (an earth oven cooking method). He also uses native ingredients like kūmara (sweet potato) and native mutton bird.
At first, using these native Australian ingredients in a top restaurant was not common. This made it hard for his restaurant, Attica, to become popular. However, people eventually recognized his different style of cooking. Now, Attica has won many important awards. It has been on the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants for a decade. Top chefs from all over the world visit his restaurant. Ben also appears in the Netflix series Restaurant Australia.
Attica Restaurant
Ben Shewry started working as the Head Chef at Attica Restaurant in 2005. After working there for ten years, he bought the restaurant from his employer in 2015. In 2019, Attica was named Australia's best restaurant at the Gourmet Traveller food awards.
Books and Beliefs
Ben's most recent book is called "Uses for Obsession, A Chef's Memoir." In this book, he shares his thoughts on many topics. These include creativity in the kitchen and the importance of nature. He also talks about how First People's cultures have influenced his work. The book explains the values he lives by and the detailed menus at Attica.
Commitment to Sustainability
Ben Shewry strongly believes in protecting the environment. He has been an Ambassador for the Good Fish Project since 2018. He believes that as a chef, he can influence what people eat. He wants to make sure his restaurant uses the most sustainable seafood possible. He feels that if he doesn't, he is adding to environmental problems.
Attica Restaurant also became a certified B Corporation in February 2024. This shows Ben's commitment to good environmental practices in his business.
