CREATIVE PURSUITS
“When I see what producers are striving for, I’m motivated to put their stories on the plate.”
As one of Australia’s most imaginative chefs, Shannon Bennett of Melbourne’s Vue de monde has a fierce commitment to creativity.
“For me, creativity begins with ingredients, and I’m inspired by people whose stories haven’t been told. I believe every ingredient and part of the process has a narrative, and the producers and farmers are the unsung heroes. When I see what they’re striving for, I’m motivated to put their stories on the plate.
“You tell that story to a kitchen colleague and ideas form. That idea becomes reality and then you create theatre around that. That could be in the plate, the way the table is lit – all the elements are refined. But you keep striving and evolving – very few dishes on our menu stay the same.
“Another important factor is communication – if you are unable to tell that story to the diner, part of the romance to the dish is lost.”