Angliss Keynote Speaker: Shannon Bennett
William Angliss Institute’s keynote speaker for Open Day 2022 is Shannon Bennett, an Angliss alumni and one of Australia’s leading chefs and restaurateurs.
Shannon Bennett is widely renowned as one of the most successful and well respected chefs in Australia. Shannon opened the three hatted Vue de monde over 15 years ago and since then has celebrated his success with a string of highly successful ventures; Café Vue, Bistro Vue, The Lui Bar, Jardin Tan, Vue Events, Burnham Bakery & Piggery Café and Benny’s Burgers.
For eight years Shannon has been a guest judge and mentor on MasterChef Australia sharing his knowledge and expertise and guiding the talented home cooks throughout the series. MasterChef Australia is shown in over 150 countries around the world and has a large following in India, South Africa, the UK, The Netherlands, Italy and Portugal, with a total worldwide audience of over 180 million.
Hailing from Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs, whilst at school Shannon had the opportunity to travel regularly to the girls school to study home economics with fellow classmate Curtis Stone. During this time Shannon realised a passion for cooking, cemented by trips to Europe where his Uncle Tom introduced him to the sophisticated world of restaurants.
He completed his apprenticeship at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne under the astute tutelage of Roger Lienhard, and what followed is a rich experience of working for some of the world’s great chefs including Albert Roux, John Burton-Race, Marco Pierre White and Alain Ducasse.
Following his European adventures he returned to his hometown of Melbourne in 2000 and at just 24 years of age opened his first restaurant Vue de monde in a humble terrace style building in Carlton. Shannon was quickly noticed for his edgy approach combined with an obsession for classical cuisine and a cult following was established amongst Melbourne’s diners. In 2003 Australian Gourmet Traveller awarded Shannon their inaugural ‘Best New Talent’ title.
Shannon has written a slew of culinary publications including Shannon Bennett’s Paris (2009), Shannon Bennett’s New York (2012), 28 Days in Provence: Food and Family in the Heat of France (2012), Cooking All Over the World (2014) and Shannon Bennett’s London (2016).
