Vivid Fire Kitchen

Host: Chris Taylor

Manoella Buffara

Voted the Best Latin America’s female chef in 2022 by 50Best Academy and headliner of Vivid Residence, the southern Brazilian chef, Manoella Buffara Ramos, or Manu, is ranked 21 in The Best Chef Awards worldwide and is the chef and owner of Manu, restaurant number 49 in the list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Since launching Manu in 2011, Brazil's first woman-led restaurant to serve an exclusive tasting menu, Manoella has been an advocate for sustainable and innovative cuisine. With an emphasis on plant-based ingredients and locally sourced products, her Curitiba-based eatery stands out for its meticulous approach to gastronomy and sustainability.

John McFadden

With over 30 years of experience, John McFadden is a distinguished figure in the Australian culinary scene and the winner of back-to-back World Seafood Championship titles in 2022 and 2023. As a mentor, judge and culinary innovator, John is a highly-motivated chef whose attention to detail is well-known industry-wide.

Christine Manfield

Celebrated chef and award-winning cookbook author Christine Manfield is a leading Australian culinary ambassador. She is inspired by Australia’s melting pot of global flavours and native ingredients. Beyond the kitchen, she is a keen advocate for keeping it local and supporting community, and she hosts culinary journeys to regional Australia for sustainable and immersive experiences highlighting First Nations culture.

Bektas Ozcan

Born in Turkey and growing up in one of the countries largest and most successful market gardens, his family laid the foundation for his life in cooking. Attending the prestigious Gastronomy University in Istanbul, he specialised in Mediterranean cuisine, graduating and holding positions in luxury hotels, while competing for Turkey in various culinary competitions around the world. Bektas is currently the Executive Chef at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth leading a team of chefs in one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels.

John Lyons

From humble beginnings in Yorkshire UK, John Lyons studied at the prestigious Lycée Hoetelier de Mazamet in France. After working at a selection of Michelin starred restaurants culminating in a stint at Le Grand Ecuyer with pastry genius Yves Thuries, he continued London where he worked at the world famous Savoy Hotel, forging an individual and unique repertoire culminating in his current menu at Birdie Bar and Brasserie.

Host: Chris Taylor

Jess Pryles

Jess is an Australian chef living in Texas. A meat expert and live fire cook, as well as the host of TV shows BBQuest and Aussie Barbecue Heroes. She’s the founder of both Hardcore Carnivore, a brand of meat seasonings and rubs, and the Australasian Barbecue Alliance.

Mindy Wood

Mindy Woods is a chef, restaurateur and proud Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia-bul clan. A finalist on MasterChef Australia in 2012, she now owns and runs Karkalla in Byron Bay, where she showcases local, seasonal produce and native ingredients. Mindy’s work extends beyond the kitchen, as she strives to promote First Nations representation in hospitality and agriculture, making her a true ambassador for her community and culture.

Rosy Scatigna

Born in Puglia, Southern Italy, Rosy grew up witnessing the simple and traditional cooking of her mother and grandma. Over the years, Rosy gained experience in one Michelin star restaurant Lume (Milan), two Michelin star restaurant The Hand & Flowers (Marlow), Aria and two-hatted Shell House. Today Rosy brings her authentic Italian heritage, extensive culinary expertise, and passionate offbeat personality to Bar Morris, with an Italian inspired share menu that is fun and dynamic, focusing on convivial and seasonal dishes.

HOST: CHRIS TAYLOR

Oscar Salomon

Oscar Solomon, the dynamic Group Development Chef for The Apollo Group, plays a pivotal role in the culinary direction of the Apollo’s celebrated venues. With a passion for diversity and continuous learning, Oscar integrates native Australian foods and innovative techniques into his menus. His approach to cuisine is not about mastering one style, but about delicious, well-made food that resonates with a broad audience.

Lennox Hastie

Lennox is fascinated by fire. He is the chef and owner of Firedoor in Sydney, Australia’s only fully wood-fuelled restaurant, which offers a dining experience like no other in town. He also owns Surry Hills wine bar Gildas, is the author of Finding Fire, and has featured on Netflix series Chef's Table and Ugly Delicious.

Shalamar Lane

Shalamar Lane is the talented pitmaster behind cult favourite My Father’s Barbeque in Carson, California. Barbecue runs deep in her veins, having grown up as the daughter of pitmasters from Alabama and Texas. Despite initially pursuing a different career path, her love for barbecue eventually led her to establish My Father’s Barbeque. Here, she fuses the barbecue traditions of the South with her own unique approach to smoking meats.

Corey Costelloe

Corey Costelloe, the former culinary director at Rockpool, is no stranger to cooking with flame. With 15 years under his chef's hat working alongside Neil Perry, Corey is a master of the grill. Catch him sizzling delicious NSW produce at Vivid Fire Kitchen just before he opens the hottest new restaurant in town this June. A six month pop-up venture with fellow chef David Allison that will open on Chapel Street, Marrickville.

Niklas Ekstedt

A trailblazer in open-fire cooking, Niklas has revolutionised Swedish gastronomy with his innovative approach to restaurant concepts and by unearthing ancient Scandinavian cooking techniques. His restaurant, Ekstedt, has become a Stockholm icon, famed for using only natural heat, soot, ash, smoke and fire to cook. Niklas was also a judge on Netflix’s Crazy Delicious, sharing his passion for cooking with a global audience.

Adam Roberts (AUS)

Australia's most-awarded Pitmaster across competition barbecue, fire cooking and content creation including 'Barbecue Fusion' the 2024 Barbecue Book of the Year in the USA, Adam Roberts is back as the resident Vivid Fire Kitchen Pitmaster, making sure the fire burns hot, bright and smokey for this years' stellar line up of visiting Chef's and Pitmasters and will present multiple top-shelf fire cooked recipes as part of the Fire Pit Team.

Andrew Ballard (AUS)

Andrew Ballard, Australian professional Chef of the year 2022. In January 2024, Andrew led the Australian Culinary Team as Captain in the World Culinary Olympics, proudly bringing home a Silver and Bronze medal. He has also been selected as one of 24 chefs world wide to represent their country in the "Global Chefs challenge" in October this year. Chef Andrew is now keenly focused on the Vivid Fire kitchen, taking his role as part of the amazing host team who will be cooking on live fire for all to come watch.